MANILA, Philippines – Director Wenn Deramas expressed his excitement about working with Toni Gonzaga again after the latter was tapped to replace Angel Locsin in the upcoming fantaserye “Kokey at Ako.”

During the pictorial for the series, which is a follow-up to 2007’s hit teleserye “Kokey,” Deramas said he believes that Toni has a unique talent for comedy.

“Naramdaman ko ‘yun nung ginawa namin ‘yung [Precious Hearts Romances presents] Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin. Bilang comedy director kasi nakahanap na ako ng isang Ai Ai de las Alas. Pero sa younger batch iilan pa lang ang nakikita kong babaeng may perfect timing sa comedy,” he stated.

“Dati nakita ko si Jolina (Magdangal), tapos si Sandara (Park), ngayon naman si Toni. Hindi kasi lahat ng artista meron nun. Kaya sobra akong masaya na siya ang gaganap na dito sa ‘Kokey at Ako’ bilang comedy ang tema nitong teleserye,” said the director who also worked with Gonzaga for the movie “Ang Tanging Pamilya.”

He clarified that it was the management who decided for Gonzaga to take over Locsin’s role in “Kokey at Ako.” Locsin will do a different teleserye with John Lloyd Cruz and movie with Aga Muhlach.

“Ang totoo si Toni naman talaga ang dapat gaganap na female lead dito. Kaya nga lang that time hindi pa namin siya mahiram dahil busy siya sa PBB (Pinoy Big Brother). Kaya pumasok si Angel. Pero dahil naatras ang schedule ng taping, na-revise ‘yung script, si Angel naman ang hindi na pwede. Ngayon naman nalibre si Toni dahil tapos na ang PBB,” said Deramas.

With Gonzaga taking over the role, Deremas said he feels more relaxed since he believes the actress-TV host can handle comedy very well.

He also wished Locsin well on her new projects and thanked her for the kind words she said for Gonzaga and “Kokey at Ako.”

“Nakikita lang na talagang napakabait na tao ni Angel. Nasa kabila pa si Angel noon, naikuwento na sa akin ni Amy Austria, nagkatrabaho kasi sila sa kabila, na isa sa mga pinakamabait na nakatrabaho ni Amy sa kabila e si Angel. Totoo nga naman.”

The only regret Deramas has about Locsin’s pull-out from “Kokey at Ako” is that he will have to wait for some time before he gets to work with the young actress.

“Excited na ako nung sinabing si Angel ang dapat gagawa nitong Kokey. Sayang at hindi natuloy. Pero alam kong mangyayari pa rin ‘yun, balang araw,” he noted.