The Debut

1h 28min

Drama

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.

Production Companies

Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)

National Asian American Telecommunications Association

Cast

Dante Basco

Dante Basco

Ben Mercado
Mindy Spence

Mindy Spence

Jennifer
Ernie Zarate

Ernie Zarate

Tito Lenny
Gina Alajar

Gina Alajar

Gina Mercado
Derek Basco

Derek Basco

Edwin Mercado
Joy Bisco

Joy Bisco

Annabelle Manalo
Tirso Cruz III

Tirso Cruz III

Roland Mercado
Eddie Garcia

Eddie Garcia

Lolo Carlos

Release date

18th May 2000

Status

Released

Spoken languages

English,