MANILA, Philippines - There?s a thrill in the twenty-something club and bar scene that is so positive and vibrant that it just must be appreciated. The girls doing everything they can to look sexy, the boys in their sneakers and Team Manila shirts gawking at the sight of skin, the men buying the girls drinks and trying to ?get right? as J. Lo calls it (no, gurang, that?s not "get it right," but just "get right," meaning to get the right "attitude"). It?s all about the rush that comes from being noticed and appreciated, the joy in belonging, the fun in good company and creating memories of a great time. I?ve since replaced this rush with the joys of eating, an additional 20 pounds notwithstanding, but I found myself back in such good company this week to check out the latest trend in getting happy: rockeoke.

Rockeoke, according to rockeoke aficionado JC Medina, is ?basically live karaoke, where people get to sing with the Johnnies.? It?s like karaoke with a live band playing, and it?s open mic so you sing in front of everyone in the bar, usually with a little help from a bottle of San Mig Light. It?s really a brilliant idea because the truth is that at that age, you usually still nurture that secret desire to become a rock star, and the booze is an excuse to just let it all out!

The house of rockeoke is Mag:net on High Street at Bonifacio Global City. It?s a second floor third world bar that?s all about having a good time. Even on a Monday night, you?d be lucky to get yourself a table. Guests come in packs, mostly yuppies and students, occasionally with a professor in tow. Early in the evening, a singer who looks like John Lennon and Yoko Ono melded into one being, rules the stage. He?s a lot of fun, going at the Marlboro theme with much gusto, his rapport with the regulars evident.

I didn?t really expect to get a decent menu here?the trip to this kind of place is hardly ever for its menu. So I was happily surprised to find very creative items in their laminated list.

Adobong itlog ng pugo or quail eggs is what captured my heart. Expecting the usual gambas or french fries, these egg poppers with a classic Filipino flavor was a welcome twist. The eggs swim in adobo sauce and come in a long plate that accommodates around ten. It?s perfect to line the stomach in preparation for an evening of downing booze. It really tastes great with beer, too.

For the boys and the one-of-the-boys, they offer breakfast meals. Or at least what look like breakfast meals. The Rib Eye Tapa Bites is a hefty meat dish with a generous heaping cup of garlic rice. It?s slightly salty so it?s perfect with the accompanying egg. Really, it?s a sosyal tapsilog. The non-meat eaters will appreciate the Salmon with Sibuyas Tagalog Asado. It?s a chunky slab of salmon in a sharp asado marinade and, like the rib eye tapsilog, served with lots of rice. Very filling.

The Chicken Lemongrass, which the menu calls Mag:net?s original favorite, is overloaded with garlic and lemongrass garnish. Maybe it?s meant to be a vodka chaser, but the dish is definitely too strong to appreciate as just a viand. It?s probably something they conceived to be appreciated at 4 a.m. when your mind?s as numb as your throat is hoarse, that moment when any essence of flavor translates to an acceptable taste.

The Paella Seafood Pasta is very good. It is not only filling but also lathered with flavor from the seafood. Especially noticeable are the tinapa flakes which somehow mix really well with the generous load of Parmesan cheese.

As for the dessert, I was especially impressed with the creative take on suman. Mag:net?s Suman Cecilia is suman wickedly brushed with flavors of langka and drizzled with poppy seeds. The langka on the suman is delicately sweet and distinct that it creates?and yes leaves?a real impression.

The great revelation here is that bars don?t have to serve just your usual sisig or sizzling chicken. At Mag:net, creative chow is not just a side dish for a good time and great boozing. It?s the main event!

Mag:net Cafe. Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City. Tel. 8563400.