The Debut (2000)

The story revolves around Ben Mercado, a talented high school senior who has rejected his Filipino heritage. The long-simmering feud between Ben and his immigrant father Roland threatens to... See full summary »

Director:

Gene Cajayon

Writers:

Gene Cajayon, John Manal Castro

Stars:

Dante Basco, Jayson Schaal, Brian Card

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dante Basco	...	Ben Mercado (as Danté Basco)
Jayson Schaal	...	Doug
Brian Card	...	Dave
Mindy Spence	...	Jennifer
Nicole Hawkyard	...	Susie
Brandon Martinez	...	Rick
Ernie Zarate	...	Tito Lenny
Gina Alajar	...	Gina Mercado
Emelita Moll	...	Tita Connie
Gina Honda	...	Tita Florie
Tirso Cruz III	...	Roland Mercado
Bernadette Balagtas	...	Rose Mercado
Rawlins Apilado	...	Jun
Derek Basco	...	Edwin Mercado
Joy Bisco	...	Annabelle Manalo

Storyline

The story revolves around Ben Mercado, a talented high school senior who has rejected his Filipino heritage. The long-simmering feud between Ben and his immigrant father Roland threatens to boil over and ruin the 18th birthday party of Ben's sister Rose. But to Ben's surprise, his sister's celebration challenges his sense of misplaced identity, and the way he regards his father and grandfather. In one night, Ben faces the true nature of his relationships with his family, his friends, and himself.

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Plot Keywords:

high school | party | birthday party | father son relationship | beer | 

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Taglines:

One night can change a lifetime.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Gene Cajayon

Country:

USA

Language:

English Tagalog Filipino

Release Date:

13 August 2003 (Philippines)

Also Known As:

The Mercado Family Debut

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$12,784 (USA) (15 March 2002)

Gross:

$1,743,570 (USA) (8 November 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

5 Card Productions, Celestial Pictures, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bernadette Balagtas (Rose Mercado) had injured her ankle while basketball training for the movie. She had to wear an ankle brace throughout the entire filming schedule. The brace had to be digitally removed in one of the major dance sequences where her ankle is prominently featured.

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Connections

Featured in The Slanted Screen (2006)

User Reviews

Filipinos On Film

I must say I did enjoy this movie. Not so much that it had Filipinos such as myself in it , but more because it was about Filipino youth growing up here in the USA dealing with their own ideas vs their parents. Why the medical field all the time?

Yes, it did generalize the different types of Filipinos that I come across but the story was deep enough to for even my parents to enjoy. Being born and raised in a normal west suburb of Chicago I did sense the conflict that Ben, the lead, had in this movie. However, I never found it to be a stuggle in life due to my heritage. Also, this movie will give my relatives in the Philippines a view of my world that they never really see.

No, this movie is not Oscar calibur but I give it a thumbs up for effort and conviction...