

The Debut
"One night can change a lifetime."
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.
Movie Details
Budget
$1.0M
$1,000,000
Languages
English
+1 more
Studio
Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)
+1 more
Key Crew

Gene Cajayon
Director

Gene Cajayon
Writer
Cast

Dante Basco
Ben Mercado
Jayson Schaal
Doug
Brian Card
Dave
Mindy Spence
Jennifer
Nicole Hawkyard
Susie
Brandon Martinez
Rick

Ernie Zarate
Tito Lenny

Gina Alajar
Gina Mercado

Bernadette Balagtas
Rose Mercado

Derek Basco
Edwin Mercado

Joy Bisco
Annabelle Manalo
Rawlins Apilado
Jun

Tirso Cruz III
Roland Mercado

Darion Basco
Augusto

Dionysio Basco
Rommel

Eddie Garcia
Lolo Carlos