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.
Cast
Dante Basco
as Ben Mercado
Jayson Schaal
as Doug
Brian Card
as Dave
Mindy Spence
as Jennifer
Nicole Hawkyard
as Susie
Brandon Martinez
as Rick
Ernie Zarate
as Tito Lenny
Gina Alajar
as Gina Mercado
Bernadette Balagtas
as Rose Mercado
Derek Basco
as Edwin Mercado
