Novelita Acosta Villanueva Gallegos (born April 16, 1946), better known by her stage name, Nova Villa, is a Filipino actress.

[1] Known primarily as the "Goddess of Comedy",[2][3][4] she is regarded as one of the pillars in Philippine entertainment and is celebrated as one of the greatest Filipino comedians of all time.

[7] Among her many accolades includes the "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal" bestowed by Pope Francis, the highest papal award the Vatican can give a layperson.

[11] Villa began working in the entertainment industry at the age of 17, when he was discovered by Fernando Poe Jr. while accompanying her neighbor, the comedienne Chichay, on an errand at Premiere Productions.

[13] During the 1986 snap presidential election, Villa regularly campaigned for the reelection of president Ferdinand Marcos under Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, alongside other film industry personalities.