Featuring...

Gene Cajayon

Co-Writer, Co-Producer, Director

Gene Cajayon was born in Saigon, Vietnam during the War to a Filipino father and a Vietnamese/French mother.  As an infant he and his family immigrated to the United States, living first in Chicago, Illinois and eventually settling in Orange County, California.  Growing up with equal doses of Filipino, Vietnamese and American culture, he fell in love with movies at an early age, and hopes to continue to produce films about the Asian Pacific American experience.  "The Debut" is his first feature film. 

Bernadette Balagtas

Featured in films such as Trimark's "Chairman of the Board", Rysher Entertainment's "High School High", and James L. Brooks' award-winning "As Good As It Gets", Bernadette Balagtas shines as Ben's beautiful and proud older sister.  In addition to film and theater performances, shi is also active on the comedy circuit as a stand-up comedienne.

www.geocities.com/bette923/

Perfomances by...

Phuz

Dea - Vocals

Edward Casapao - acoustic/electric beats, samples

Edwin Casapao - fretless/upright bass

Jamie Ruggiero - pianos and synthesizers

Ken Sarmiento - acoustic/electric guitar

Phuz was formed in 1991 as a loose collective of Houston musicians including the Casapaos (who are brothers) and Sarmiento.  Players came and went as the band's sound was anchored in a funk/R&B dance grooves, with some jam-band affectations.  Dea joined in 1995 as a backup vocalist, and Ruggiero in 1999.  The next year, Phuz overhauled its lineup and changed musical direction, appropriately beginning a new era with the new millennium.

In addition to frequent gigs in their hometown of Houston, Phuz has recently toured across the country, playing shows on tours with Sade and Tony Bennett/K.D. Lang.  They have been guests on KPFT radio's nationally-known "Soular Grooves" show.  Phuz was also the subject of a feature article in The Houston Press, and garnered two nominations in the newpaper's 2001 Music Awards, including Best New Act and Best Funk/R&B (winning the "Critic's Pick" selection in the latter category).

www.phuz.com

Blend 32

The goal of Blend 32 is to entertain with secular and contemporary songs, bless others with Christian songs (English and Tagalog) and promote Philippine culture through the Arts such as Folk Dances and Philippine songs sung in 4 part harmony.

Blend 32 has been performing since 1996 and has performed as backup singers to guest soloist Rollie Torres in the jazzy "Ngayon at Kailan Man" in Farie Luchan's concert "Golden Moments".  Blend 32 girls, also provided background vocals for Angelo Tolentino in First Call's "Messiah".

Blend 32 had their first public performance on KPRC Channel 2's "Neighborhood Weather" with Chuck George.  This was followed by requests for Filipino Folk Dance in Filipino and International events in addition to their singing arrangements.  The dance troupe has performed in Enron's The Human Race, Asia Society's Tiger Ball, the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association Festival and Houston's Asian Arts Festival.

Blend 32 Philippine Folk Dance Troupe:  Bessie Kirkman, Neni Navarrete, Reichelle Araula, Charmine Delacalzada, Chichi Andrade, Marian Bartolome, Eileen Valdoz, Brenda Thorne, Gary Kirkman, Raul Castor, Roland Castor, Bobby Reyes, Ray Reyes, Joel Villanueva, Tony Araula.

www.blend32.lovesmusic.com