Angel Locsin exits 'Kokey at Ako'

Source: Manila Bulletin
By NEIL RAMOS

Talks are rife that Angel Locsin prefers drama over fantasy after garnering several notices from international award-giving bodies.
Angel Locsin will not be appearing in “Kokey at Ako” anymore.

The fantaserye, which was supposed to star Locsin alongside comedian Vhong Navarro and an E.T.-like character dubbed Kokey, is still rolling along as scheduled even without the former “Darna” star.

Tapped to replace Locsin is singer-host-actress Toni Gonzaga.

Gonzaga and Navarro recently attended a photoshoot session for the show.

Word on the grapevine is that Locsin has been booted out. In a statement made to an entertainment blog, she seemingly affirmed rumors pertaining to such.

“Yes, hindi na po ako makakasama sa cast ng 'Kokey'… Pero syempre nirerespeto ko po ‘yung decision ng management. Mas alam naman nila ‘yan kesa sa akin. Kinakailangan na daw po kasi namin mag-grind para sa movie at soap with JLC [John Lloyd Cruz]. Kung ano na lang po ‘yung maging plano nila for me,” the actress said via the web blog, darlasauler.com.

Locsin thinks the role she was supposed to do for the show---that of a news reporter involved in Kokey’s search for his lost baby sister as well as a mission to save earthlings from evil aliens---suits Gonzaga.

“Mas bagay nga sa kanya [Toni] kesa sa akin eh. Plus, maganda ang team-up nila ni Vhong. Baka nga po mas napaganda pa ang ‘Kokey.’”

Meanwhile, Locsin expressed excitement over the movie she is slated to do with Aga Muhlach.

“Ibang klase po ito... Pinagdarasal ko na sana magawa ko po ng maayos.”

She is also anxious on how her soap with Cruz will turn out. “Isang taon ko po ito hinintay! Good luck sa akin at nine-nerbiyos po ako nang todo-todo.”

Early on, pundits were speculating that Locsin was not that keen in doing another fantaserye. It is said that she wants to do more dramatic roles after garnering several notices from international award-giving bodies.

Locsin herself intimated on the matter in her past interviews.

“Hindi ko naman masasabi na hindi ako namimili ng roles. Of course dahil medyo mag-e-eight years na din naman ako sa industriya, ayoko din naman na pare-pareho ‘yung ginagawa ko para naman mahasa din ako. Kasi siyempre ang acting, learning experience din. Ayaw mo naman ma-stuck sa isang aspeto lang,” she said.

Locsin apparently was hesitant on doing “Kokey at Ako” as she feared the series might just be too superficial.

“At first naisip ko baka naman kokey-kokey lang. Pero may mga napag-usapan kami, and ang 'Kokey,' very interesting naman ang story.

"Tapos inexplain nila sa akin na hindi lang ito basta fantasy show, may (environmental) cause din naman ang 'Kokey' so grinab ko na. Madami kayong matututunang aral dito. Lalo na sa nangyaring Bagyong Ondoy at Pepeng, kailangan natin turuan ang bata, maski tayong matatanda, kung papano alagaan ang environment,” she explained.