MANILA, Philippines ? It was a hot May Friday evening as the crowd poured into the newly opened LAX right behind the Mall of Asia. The usual bay breeze was nowhere but Manila?s night denizens didn?t mind being sardined in the party.

After all, throughout the day, there were many Samantha Ronson sightings on Facebook. Someone even let loose that Lindsay Lohan might be with her.

Of course, it was Brangelina false alert all over again because Lindsay Lohan was nowhere near Manila. Restraining orders can go as far as other countries, maybe, but the crowd was just as intrigued to find out the kind of mash-up tunes the Los Angeles-based DJ would spin for everyone.

The club?s interiors are best described as plush. Red curtains, dark walls, good lighting, good sound system?when the lights turn low and the DJ starts mixing, LAX is as good as they come. The seating areas are elevated over the dance floor, resembling a gladiator arena or roller skating rink. It?s a good move because it gives the non-dancing patron a bird?s eye view of the dance floor.

Outside is a patio with the bay view and a second DJ playing different tunes. It?s a chance to get fresh air and still be a part of the party. It?s something clubs and bars of Makati and The Fort cannot offer.

Mashing it up, LA style

The crowd reached maximum capacity before midnight, everyone standing and Manila?s who?s who in full attendance, everyone anxiously waiting for Ronson.

Ronson stepped out 30 minutes after midnight before a cheering crowd. The English-born one-time rocker and now DJ, wearing a hat and Guns and Roses T-shirt, didn?t even address the crowd. She began attaching her equipment and laptop to prepare for her set.

She kicked it hard with an R&B song and laid down another before hitting the crowd with an electro-house song. The crowd went wild and the dance floor went wild. As people cheered and punched the air to the beat, she never once waved or smiled. She studied the crowd, watching the areas with the most activity and checking out the spaces in the dance floor where no one was moving. She hit her stride with a pumped-up version of Kanye West?s ?Stronger,? which remixes Daft Punk?s ?Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,? and then, with a one-two punch of Lady GaGa?s ?Just Dance? and ?Poker Face.?

Despite her indifference, I did notice Ronson stopping a bouncer who was restraining fans from taking her photos. might not be warm and friendly but she was no complete snob.

There?s no doubt that LAX launched with a bang. The party scene welcomes every foreign act with open arms and an open bar. And with LAX?s good sound system, clubbers now have a decent option other than the clubs at The Fort. And it?s always good to have options.