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Nova still going strong

Asked what the secret of her long and successful career is, veteran comedienne Nova Villa can only muster a shy smile and shrug her shoulders. “I don’t really know,” she replies. “Sometimes, even I wonder why, at my age, I still get offers. I guess, until there are comedies to act in, and until there are people who believe in me, I’ll be here.”

In her current show That’s My Doc, Nova plays Aga’s aunt Octabella “Tita Ocs” Flores. Although the character’s name was inspired by the most famous kontrabida in Philippine showbiz, Tita Ocs is warm, funny and is even considered something of an expert in recycling by her neighbours.

During the show’s press launch held at ABS-CBN’s Restaurant 9501, Aga revealed that the network gave him the freedom to choose his co-stars for the show, and that Nova was one of those he personally handpicked. When she found out, Nova was flattered. “It’s such an honour. I really wanted to be part of a sitcom again, and to be given that chance, and to work with Aga on top of that, I couldn’t say no.”

Her character Tita Ocs is just one among many memorable characters that Nova has played in the course of her career, which is now 43 years and counting.