The Debut (2000)
Overview
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
Dante Basco
Ben Mercado
Ernie Zarate
Tito Lenny
Gina Alajar
Gina Mercado
Bernadette Balagtas
Rose Mercado
Derek Basco
Edwin Mercado
Joy Bisco
Annabelle Manalo
Tirso Cruz III
Roland Mercado
Darion Basco
Augusto
Dionysio Basco
Rommel
Eddie Garcia
Lolo Carlos
