Nova Villa has ‘GMA’s blessing’ to star in ABS-CBN’s Can’t Buy Me Love

MANILA, Philippines — Nova Villa didn’t “transfer” to ABS-CBN, the manager of the veteran actress has clarified reports stating she moved back to the Kapamilya station via the series Can’t Buy Me Love.

In a statement sent to The STAR, talent manager Van Soyosa said that “Tita Nova didn’t transfer to ABS-CBN. We happily accepted the offer of ABS-CBN, after asking for GMA’s blessing in respect (to them) even though our network contract with them has ended.”

“Tita Nova is now a freelancer, which means she can appear in any network, and since we’ve reached the point in the showbiz industry where most artists have the freedom to appear in any network. We are blessed to have the Can’t Buy Me Love ABS-CBN teleserye and still be included in GMA’s Pepito Manaloto sitcom,” Van added.

In the long-running sitcom Pepito Manaloto, Nova plays the role of Mimi Kho, the village chair and neighbor of the Manaloto family (played by Michael V and Manilyn Reynes).

“We’ve been with the GMA network exclusively for 13 years. Although our network contract expired a few years ago, and upon careful deliberation, they gave the blessing as long as Pepito Manaloto schedules won’t be compromised,” Van further said.

During a media conference for Can’t Buy Me Love, the 77-year-old acting stalwart said that she is “very happy to be back at ABS-CBN.”

“Talaga po iba yung feeling because 36 years ako sa ABS-CBN when I transferred to the other station. And then nandito po ako muli and napakaganda ng role na binigay sa akin,” Nova continued.

“And I’m trying my best na magampanan ko mahusay. At napakaganda po ng role na yun sapagkat mga bida po ang mga kasama ko at ako ang kanilang lola. (I play) a typical Filipino lola na nagmamahal sa kanyang mga apo.”

Nova also said in the media conference that she is a freelancer now and that she just couldn’t resist the beautiful offer to join the cast of the new teleserye.

“Nakapagpaalam naman ako ng mahusay and they (GMA) gave the blessing. Kaya nandito ako ngayon,” she added.

Asked if she had to adjust to the new set, environment and workmates, she said she immediately felt “at home” because she was previously with the media company for three decades.

“Lahat kaibigan and one thing I’ve noticed talaga, super babait ng staff, from the director lahat, everybody even the crew. Lahat nag-aalaga sa amin sa taping. They’re very nice and loving, (may) concern kaya walang kaba. Very at home and happy,” she added.

The actress-comedienne starred in several shows for ABS-CBN but perhaps the most notable of all was Home Along Da Riles with the late King of Comedy, Dolphy.

Can’t Buy Me Love, meanwhile, is the first primetime series of love team Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano.

They were first launched as an onscreen pair in the iWantTFC series He’s Into Her, which was followed by their digitally-released debut film Love Is Color Blind.

Can’t Buy Me Love will premiere on Oct. 13 or 72 hours before its TV premiere on Netflix and on Oct. 14 or 48 hours before its broadcast premiere on the iWantTFC app (iOs and Android) and iwanttfc.com. The broadcast premiere will be on Oct. 16 on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, Jeepney TV, Cinemo, TFC IPTV, and TV5, replacing the Richard Gutierrez action-drama The Iron Heart.

It is produced by Star Creatives and helmed by Mae Cruz Alviar (Make It with You, 2 Good 2 Be True).

The cast members also include Celeste Legaspi, Agot Isidro, Rowell Santiago, and Ruffa Gutierrez. They are joined by Maris Racal, Albie Casiño, Kaila Estrada, Joao Constancia, Karina Bautista, Vivoree, and Darren.