MANILA, Philippines ? It?s woman power at LRI: Emily Silva opened Studio 116 Dance School for health purposes: She needed to lower her cholesterol level.

Studio 116, located at 210 Nicanor Garcia st., Bel-Air II, Makati City, follows an international syllabus for ballroom dancing and offers classes in tango, waltz, foxtrot, quickstep, rhumba, cha-cha, samba, jive, swing, salsa and even hip-hop. Teachers include dance competition winners like Ednah Ledesma and Leo Linga. (Call 895-5581, or visit www.studio116danceschool.com.)

Home accessories

For her part, Tim Tam Ong is a young entrepreneur who ventured into bazaars after finishing school. Last March, she opened Rain, located at the LRI ground floor, which offers made-to-order furniture, gift items, home decor and accessories, as well as clothes and shoes that she herself designed. It also offers special cosmetic services.

Tim Tam?s mother, who has a store of her own (Simply Asian) a few steps away, is her mentor. She?s very happy because ?my customers have become my friends. I get a lot of ideas from them.?

Visit LRI?s ?End of Summer? sale from May 21 to June 6. Forty stores offer the latest in home interiors, furniture, fine arts, photography, spa, gourmet food and the arts.

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Visit our Batanes and Coron travel-photo exhibit at rm. 227, second floor, LRI Plaza, and get discounts for individual and family portraits during LRI?s ?End of Summer? sale. Call 899-1767 or 896-3208.