Actress Nova Villa gets papal award

BY LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO

Veteran actress Nova Villa or Novelita Gallegos has been honored with a papal award.

Novaliches Bishop Roberto Gaa conferred the Pro Ecclesia et Pro Pontifice to Gallegos on January 14 at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in Quezon City.

In an interview with church-run Radio Veritas, Gallegos said she didn’t expect that she will receive such recognition from the Church.

“Everything I do for God comes from my heart; I’m happy to do it even if it’s difficult,” she said.

“I think, I am just an instrument of God’s grace to people; by being nice to people, giving smile at them, you’re giving them hope,” added Gallegos.

Bishop Gaa said the award is not just given to a person to acknowledge what that person has done, but it is also to acknowledge what the community has done with the person. That’s why he urged all those present to continue to accompany Gallegos.

“Continue to support her. Continue to pray for her. Continue to accompany her,” he said. Gaa also reminded papal awardees that the recognition comes with a great responsibility.

“They are shining example on how to live as Christians,” he said.

It was in June 2019 when retired Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias nominated Gallegos for the papal award together with six other individuals from the diocese.

Papal awards are normally recommended by diocesan bishops, or of apostolic nuncios.

The award is being given to the laity for their outstanding service to the Church and to also recognize how they firmly and with fidelity live their Catholic faith.