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| Louriza Tronco as Jodi Mappa on Make It Pop screencaps courtesy of TFC Godfather |
MIP is a groundbreaking show for not only Filipinos but Asians for that matter. This is the very first program in American television history to have three lead Asian females from three different ethnic backgrounds. Erika Tham who plays Corki on the show was quoted as saying,
'I’m Malaysian and Chinese by blood. My mom is Dutch and Ukrainian, so I’m mixed. And Louriza, who plays Jodi, is Filipino. [Lee is Korean.] So our show has three lead actors that are all Asian, but from different countries in Asia. So I think it’s very unique to see that on kids’ television, but a main message in our show is to follow your dreams, and I think that should apply to everyone, regardless of what race you are or what age you are or anything like that.'
Louriza is especially happy to part of this cast:
'It's cool because my family is from the Philippines. I'm just honored to be a part of a series like this. I think what's important what people should know is the casting is that they casted people who could tell their stories the best. Not supposedly who is Chinese or whose Filipino. Our creator didn't know if he wanted a Filipino or a Caucasian or anything. He told me he chose me because he thought I could tell Jodi's story the best with my dance training and my dry sense of humor.'
Commentary: Not only is it great to see a Filipino in such a major role on tv but for Asians for that matter. Fun fact, did you know that the OC was suppose to be an all Asian cast but it ended up being a majority white cast like every other show on tv at that time for that matter?
My issue with her role as Jodi Mappa is that there has yet to be a reference to her being Filipino. Hopefully the writers let her explore her Filipino culture, maybe bring up Filipino culture, clothes, maybe tinikling dances or the candle dance?
Make It Pop is currently in its second season on Nickelodeon and continues to be a ratings hit.
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