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
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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
16 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).
Keith
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….
The Yaoi Whisperer
4.0★ · 12/06/24
Filipino niggas saying nigga with their whole chest was actually fuckingcrazy. ***ALSO finding this fucking movie on streaming was SO FUCKING HARDDDDDDD UGH!
Not a perfect film in the slightest, but the Dante Basco effect was present.
(watched only for him, & I giggled every second he was present on screen )
Southeast Asian culture is insanely beautiful, & absolutely something to be proud of.
POC generational trauma & social pressures aren’t talked about enough, so I’m glad a film like this exists.
Filipino niggas saying nigga with their whole chest was actually fuckingcrazy. ***ALSO finding this fucking movie on streaming was SO FUCKING HARDDDDDDD UGH!
Not a perfect film in the slightest, but the Dante Basco effect was present.
(watched only for him, & I giggled every second he was present on screen )
Southeast Asian culture is insanely beautiful, & absolutely something to be proud of.
POC generational trauma & social pressures aren’t talked about enough, so I’m glad a film like this exists.