The Debut

Gene Cajayon
2000-05-18

One night can change a lifetime.
6
88 min

Filipino-American high school student Ben (Dante Basco) works in a comic book shop to earn money to pay his way into Cal Arts. His father, a postman, is determined that his son--who has won a pre-med scholarship to UCLA--will become a doctor. The eighteenth birthday party of Ben's sister, Rose, sets off a comedic and touching series of events and family struggles that will in turn determine young Ben's future. This fresh independent production from Gene Cajayon presents a lighthearted and warm coming-of-age tale filtered through the eyes of an American subculture rarely seen on film.

Cast

Name Character Team
Dante Basco Ben Mercado Unowned
Jayson Schaal Doug Unowned
Brian Card Dave Unowned
Mindy Spence Jennifer Unowned
Nicole Hawkyard Susie Unowned
Brandon Martinez Rick Unowned
Ernie Zarate Tito Lenny Unowned
Gina Alajar Gina Mercado Unowned
Bernadette Balagtas Rose Mercado Unowned
Derek Basco Edwin Mercado Unowned
Joy Bisco Annabelle Manalo Unowned
Rawlins Apilado Jun Unowned
Tirso Cruz III Roland Mercado Unowned
Darion Basco Augusto Unowned
Dion Basco Rommel Unowned
Eddie Garcia Lolo Carlos Unowned