The Debut
movie

One night can change a lifetime.
Released May 18, 2000
Genres:
Overview
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
- no image
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

Ernie Zarate
as
Tito Lenny

Gina Alajar
as
Gina Mercado

Bernadette Balagtas
as
Rose Mercado

Derek Basco
as
Edwin Mercado

Joy Bisco
as
Annabelle Manalo
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Rawlins Apilado
as
Jun
