The Debut (2000)
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.
Director: Gene Cajayon
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Dante Basco as Ben Mercado |
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Jayson Schaal as Doug |
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Brian Card as Dave |
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Mindy Spence as Jennifer |
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Nicole Hawkyard as Susie |
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Brandon Martinez as Rick |
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Ernie Zarate as Tito Lenny |
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Gina Alajar as Gina Mercado |
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Bernadette Balagtas as Rose Mercado |
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Derek Basco as Edwin Mercado |
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Joy Bisco as Annabelle Manalo |
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Rawlins Apilado as Jun |
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Tirso Cruz III as Roland Mercado |
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Darion Basco as Augusto |
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Dionysio Basco as Rommel |
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Eddie Garcia as Lolo Carlos |
| Writing | Gene Cajayon | Writer |
| Directing | Gene Cajayon | Director |
| Writing | John Manal Castro | Writer |
| Art | Michael Rizzo | Production Design |
| Editing | Kenn Kashima | Editor |
| Sound | Curtis Choy | Production Sound Mixer |
| Sound | Wendall J. Yuponce | Original Music Composer |
| Camera | Hisham Abed | Director of Photography |
