Veteran actress Nova Villa has been tirelessly taking care of her husband who has been bedridden for several years now.
It may seem impossible for a 79-year-old to carry the weight of this obligation all by herself, but the comedy icon has proven that anything is possible with God’s grace.
In her recent guest appearance on Julius Babao’s vlog, the actress opened up about the condition of her husband, Alfredo “Freddie” Gallegos, who has suffered from a stroke.
“Ako, 10 years na akong nag-aalaga,” she revealed.
Nova, who has been blessed with a long thriving showbiz career, admitted that she finds it hard to leave her bedridden husband for work.
“May katu-katulong din ako,” she said. “Naaawa lang ako ‘pag iniiwan ko (siya) ‘pag nagshoo-shooting ako. Bubulungan ko, ‘magwo-work muna ako para may pambili tayong gamot ha.’ Umiiyak siya. Tapos tawag ako nang tawag. ‘Pag dating ko, ‘I'm here, I’m home.’ Kaya ako laging nandito sa tabi niya.”
It may not seem like Nova has such a serious responsibility on her hands, as everyone that she has worked with attests to her positive and easygoing nature. Even the Goddess of Philippine Comedy herself still gets surprised when she thinks about how she managed to surpass every trial, but deep down, she knows it has always been because of God’s grace.
“I’m very close to Jesus. Ang buhay ko, kay Jesus. Lahat ng isip ko, ginagawa ko. Binibigyan Niya ako ng trabaho. I’m the only one working. Ang mahal ng mga gamot niya, hospitalization. But He gives me blessings at nararamdaman ko,” she said.
“In spite of all my problems, mga pagsubok sa buhay... I’m all alone ha, wala akong hinihingiang iba, not even my family. Nakita niyo ang grasya? Sa edad kong 79, ilan ang pelikulang ginagawa ko? Ilan ang [television] shows ko? Ilan ang kumukuha sa akin? At bakit ako malakas? This is impossible sa isang 79 [year old],” she added.
Nova shared how she remains grateful for the steady stream of opportunities that continuously come her way, even at this point of her career.
“Hindi ako malaking artista, hindi ako ‘yung kumikita ng milyon-milyon, but I receive blessings. May pambili akong gamot ng asawa ko. May pambayad ako ng tumutulong sa akin para paliguan siya,” she said.
Nova appeared in the recently-concluded action drama series Incognito, starring Daniel Padilla, Ian Veneracion, Richard Gutierrez, Kaila Estrada, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings, and Baron Geisler.