The Debut

The Debut (One night can change a lifetime.)

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.

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Top 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

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