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.
Directed by Gene Cajayon
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.4 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Dante Basco
Ben Mercado
Ernie Zarate
Tito Lenny
Gina Alajar
Gina Mercado
Bernadette Balagtas
Rose Mercado
Derek Basco
Edwin Mercado
Joy Bisco
Annabelle Manalo
Tirso Cruz III
Roland Mercado
Darion Basco
Augusto
Dionysio Basco
Rommel
Eddie Garcia
Lolo Carlos
Crew
Gene Cajayon
Director
Gene Cajayon
Writer
Popular Reviews
13 reviews
raena
9.0★ · 05/15/26
i literally have no words.
and then bro kept talking:
this movie literally means so much to me. i don’t think i’ve ever seen a movie with filipino representation like this. THE CLOSEST IVE COME IS NED’S LOLA TELLING ANDREW GARFIELD TO CLEAN THE SPIDERWEBS OFF THE CEILING. the people yearn for more filipinos in media (im people).
i literally have no words.
and then bro kept talking:
this movie literally means so much to me. i don’t think i’ve ever seen a movie with filipino representation like this. THE CLOSEST IVE COME IS NED’S LOLA TELLING ANDREW GARFIELD TO CLEAN THE SPIDERWEBS OFF THE CEILING. the people yearn for more filipinos in media (im people).
KeithPRO
7.0★ · 04/03/26
I'm 26 years late to The Debut. Filipino time? 🤷🏻♂️😅
I'm 26 years late to The Debut. Filipino time? 🤷🏻♂️😅
Belly
7.0★ · 08/17/25
“what are filipinos?” shows this movie
“what are filipinos?” shows this movie
marysela romero
8.0★ · 01/12/25
iconic! you rude boy!!! need to go to serramonte now….
iconic! you rude boy!!! need to go to serramonte now….
Bea
6.0★ · 01/21/24
rlly captured the dynamics of a filipino-american family and common experiences that some filipino-americans have regarding their relationship with their culture
thoroughly enjoyed it, apart from the slurs
rlly captured the dynamics of a filipino-american family and common experiences that some filipino-americans have regarding their relationship with their culture