[1] Villanueva's career in entertainment began when she was discovered while accompanying Nova Villa to her workplace as a broadcaster on Radio Veritas by program host Orly Punzalan.
She appeared in many movies, including Dorm Boys (2012), A Journey Home (2009), Bakit ba Ganyan (Ewan ko nga ba, Darling) (2000), Huwag na Huwag kang Lalapit Darling (1997) and Hulihin si…Nardong Toothpick (1990), and Leroy Leroy Sinta (1988).
[5] Villanueva's final roles were in ABS-CBN's drama series Ikaw Lamang and the TV5 sitcom Confessions of a Torpe.
(2005) One True Love (2012) and Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas (2013) and ABS-CBN dramas Momay (2010) and Mara Clara (2011).
She died due to multiple organ failure at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on October 2, 2014.