A diamond in her own right

MANILA, Philippines - On screen, she makes us laugh. It’s no surprise that her natural talent for making people happy landed her to where she is now. In the Philippine show business, she’s well-loved and is considered by most people as a role model.

Nova Villa has been in the entertainment industry for a long time yet her popularity remains. Her innate self-discipline and ability to live life to the fullest is undoubtedly her best weapon against the harsh competition in show business, where next to acting prowess, good physical appearance is considered a major factor. Sad but true, there are actually quite a number of celebrities who rested so much on their laurels unmindful of the fact that, like everything else, beauty fades and it fades along with an otherwise brilliant career.

Bioessence recently had a raffle promo in partnership with Goldenhills Jewelry where they gave away a diamond ring. And guess who won during their raffle recently at the Bioessence head office? Yes, the diamond ring went to Nova Villa.

She has been a loyal client of Bioessence Visayas Avenue branch in Quezon City for three years now.

Ageless beauty

What makes Nova Villa happy? “When I get lots of vegetable seeds. I’m also happy when I plant and do my own gardening every day. I have fruit tress and vegetables like eggplants, chilies, bananas and bitter gourd.” She also does community service. Her dedication to planting does more than relax her. She also donates most of the harvest to the needy and to the members of a congregation in Tandang Sora who are most grateful for her golden heart.

The comedienne says she is a happy person but she also undergoes different challenges in life. How does she make people laugh in spite of her personal challenges? “I am in the business where the show must go on. You will know that you are a good actor if you can still deliver a good performance even if you are problematic,” she says.

Nova does not remember if she was funny as a kid. What she recalls is that she was very talkative. “But I guess being funny is a craft. It’s an inborn talent. And to be funny, you have to know the right timing and facial expressions.”

Nova, as with most actors of her generation, did not undergo acting workshops. “We only had screen tests before. But only actors doing dramatic roles were required of a screen test. There was no screen test for comedic roles. So, it was important that you knew how to make people laugh,” she says.

She notes that her favorite comedians include Babalu, Panchito and, of course, Dolphy. “We only have very few natural comedians now in the industry,” she observes.

Being exposed to the kliegs may pose damage to her skin. How does Nova protect her skin to stay young and radiant? “As we age, we should all the more take care of our skin. We should remain pretty and charming. What I do, after taping, I completely remove my makeup with soap and water. It’s better if you have natural products like Bioessence Oxygen Botanicals Cleansing Milk to make your skin clean and fresh always.

For three years, Nova says Bioessence does more than just take care of her body and skin. “I visit a branch twice a week. I just don’t go there to beautify myself. I also visit to relax. I go to the steam room. I feel at home at Bioessence. I feel like a princess there.”

Nova says she discovered Bioessence when she read one of its ads. “I only wanted to try its “free” wart removal offering. Until I enrolled at the branch. Magaling kasi silang mambola. Nagpatangay naman ako. Since then, I have been a regular client.”

Her favorite treatments include the signature massage, oxygen facial, radiofrequency for toning and slimming and the skin activator for face firming and lifting. She has developed a deep sense of loyalty to the skin-care branch not only because of its services but also because of the people behind the company. The branch and its staff have since become an extended family for her.

Winning the diamond ring came quite as a surprise for her. In a jest, she told her therapist once, when the promo was announced, that she would take the ring home before her scheduled business trip to the US. And true to her prophecy, she won the ring during the raffle and was just as glad when Bioessence called her to tell her of the surprise.

She says, “Long before they announced the winner, I already claimed that I won. Indeed, I won!” Talk about faith.

Nova’s advice to women

Nova is now busy taping for Tweets for My Sweet, a comedy show on GMA 7. Despite her hectic schedule, she says that she has the conscious effort to take care of herself.

Her advice to women of her age, and even to women younger or older than her, is to keep their skin and body healthy at all times. Avail of the radiofrequency and other treatments. They do wonders to me.”

“I am conscious of looking good because millions watch me on screen. It’s my responsibility to look good,” she ends.

(For more information, please call Bioessence at 0918-8-BEAUTY or 376-7106. Goldenhills Jewelry has branches in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Galleria, SM Megamall, TriNoma and SM City Clark.)