The Debut

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.

• 
  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