REMEMBER THE breathtaking moves Catherine Zeta-Jones executed as she maneuvered her way through laser beams in the movie, ?Entrapment?? Or, the wand-to-wand fight scene in ?Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix?? Those scenes were choreographed by Paul Harris, one of England?s leading choreographers, dance teachers and movement directors.

Unknown to many, Harris is a regular Manila visitor, giving refresher courses on world-standard ballroom dancing to women who want to join dance competitions.

Edna Ledesma, who won the senior Latin dance category at the 2005 Annual Blackpool Dance Festival in England, took dance lessons from Harris to prepare for the competition.

Harris is the visiting mentor at Studio 116 Dance School, LRI Plaza, 210 Nicanor Garcia st., Bel-Air II, Makati City. Since last year, he has been guiding the dance school?s scholars.

Recently, I witnessed Harris? brand of mentoring as I watched him coach my son, Kert, and his partner, Isis Reyes, who are now ballroom champions in their age category.

Harris believes that Filipinos, with their natural charm, can compete in international dance sports. He said we only need ?discipline, proper training on the correct techniques?and practice, practice, practice.?

Visit Studio 116 or call 895-5581.

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Join the Nepal Photo Safari (Oct. 17-28), Boracay Halloween Photo Safari (Oct. 31-Nov. 3), and Batanes Photo Safari (from Feb. to May next year). E-mail mandynavaser@yahoo.com, or call 899-1767.