Top artists perform in 10-hour concert ‘Fusion’

 

Ben&Ben leads the line-up of 15 performers at ‘Fusion 2025: Musika Natin ‘To.’

Leah Salterio - The Philippine Star 

February 9, 2025 | 12:00am

Fifteen artists will be featured in “Fusion 2025: Musika Natin ‘To,” a decade of celebrating Filipino music at its finest.

Prepare for an electrifying night of OPM (Original Pilipino Music) as “Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival” brings together some of the biggest names in the industry on March 15 at the CCP Open Grounds.

“Looking back at the very first ‘Fusion’ concert in 2015, our goal was simple: to unite artists from different genres and showcase the strength of OPM,” said “Fusion” event director Paul Basinillo, who previously worked at the helm of the concerts of Vice Ganda, Sarah Geronimo and JaDine (James Reid and Nadine Lustre).

Jay Habitan is in charge of partnerships while Pauline Linsangan is in charge of artists.

 “The very first “Fusion” in 2015, was the first time JaDine was featured in an open-air event,” offered Jay Habitan, who is in charge of partnerships. “Boss Vic (del Rosario) urged us to include JaDine in the line-up.

“We didn’t know JaDine yet at that time. The line-up was already full, but we accommodated JaDine. When they started performing, the crowd really watched. They were very sweet as a couple at that time. ‘On the Wings of Love’ was aired after six months. That proved our advocacy to feature and support new artists.”

Today, 10 years later, “Fusion” is being taken to the next level — not just by gathering the best and biggest artists, but by redefining what it means to go to a concert.

“If we can create top-tier productions for international artists, why shouldn’t we do the same — if not more — for our own?” said direk Paul. “We want to bring back the thrill of live music — to make concert-going a must-

“Fusion 2025” is designed to be more than just a show. It’s an all-day, immersive festival that goes beyond the main stage.

“Fusion 2025” carries the powerful theme “Musika Natin ‘To!” —  a call to embrace and uplift OPM with pride.

Gladys Basinillo, founder of ‘Fusion’ music festival.

Headlined by Ben&Ben, December Avenue and Zack Tabudlo, “Fusion” promises an unforgettable experience with powerhouse acts like The Itchyworms, Barbie Almalbis, Alamat, Kaia, Maki, Jan Francis and AllMost, alongside an exciting lineup of rising stars and dynamic DJs.

Founded in 2015 as the “first-ever Philippine Music Festival,” “Fusion” was created with a vision: to unite all forms of OPM across genres, generations and managements into one grand celebration.

From the start, it stood as a testament to OPM’s power, bringing the nation together while delivering top-tier production value to showcase and support Filipino talent.

More than just a festival, “Fusion” serves as a platform that elevates homegrown talent, uniting legacy icons, global Filipino musicians, and emerging artists in a one-of-a-kind OPM experience.

“Now is the time to put OPM in the spotlight,” said Gladys Basinillo, founder of “Fusion.” “While international acts continuously fill arenas and festivals across the country, our own artists and music deserve the same level of support. ‘Fusion’ is here to make that happen — to give Filipino music the recognition it deserves.”

Pauline Linsangan is in charge of the artists featured in “Fusion.” Jay Habitan is in charge of partnerships.

“Fusion” started in 2015, a decade ago when they began mounting the first-ever Philippine music festival. Since then, they’ve been mounting the concert annually until the pandemic happened.

They returned to the scene in 2023. In 2024, they staged “Fusion” is Cebu, the biggest concert, so far. Then last summer, they also went to La Union and staged a successful concert there. To date, “Fusion” has presented eight successful concerts.

The forthcoming concert on March 15 will bring “Fusion” back to Manila at the CCP Open Grounds. “It will be a 10-hour concert,” informed Jay. “We bring three Manila artists who perform with three regional artists. They usually have a back-to-back collaboration.

“Fusion 10: Musika Natin ‘To” is like the battlecry of all the bands. “Even if it’s a different genre or groups, with different fan base communities, we look at them as one, OPM (Original Pilipino Music),” said Jay. “Musika natin lahat ito. Panghawakan natin. Suportahan natin.”

There will be a pre-show featuring up and coming artists. Then games and the mini-show will be around 7 p.m. to midnight. At 12 p.m. onwards, there will be a block party, with DJs.

“Today’s market they love partying after the festival,” said Jay. “So, there will be a night market after the concert.”

There will be legs of performances after the Manila concert. “We will also do Iloilo, Cebu, La Union,” said Pauline. “Even if the artists cannot perform in ‘Fusion’ Manila, they can still participate in the provinces.”

The Manila artists can perform back-to-back with the local artists in the province. “Personally, it’s really seeing how all the bands and artists play as one,” Jay allowed. “I love music and OPM. Whenever we do an event like this, we see media partners, brands, organizations and institutions.”

Winwyn Marquez returns to pageantry, represents Muntinlupa City in Miss Universe Philippines 2025

 BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Feb 9, 2025 04:36 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The event also marked the leadershipof Luxe Beauty & Wellness Group CEO Anna Magkawqas as the local director, reinforcing her advocacy for inclusivity and empowerment in the pageant scene.

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Winwyn Marquez

Kapuso actress and beauty queen Winwyn Marquez has been officially named Miss Universe Philippines Muntinlupa 2025 during a special sashing ceremony held at Edsa Shangri-La Manila in Mandaluyong City on Feb. 8.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I couldn't say no. Muntinlupa holds a special place in my heart -  it's where I grew into adulthood and experienced the strength of my community. I want to use this platform to make an impact, to inspire women, and to encourage them to take charge of their own stories," said Winwyn during a press conference after the sashing ceremony.

She added: "It's been 10 years since I joined the pageant in 2015. It has been eight years since I raised the flag in Bolivia. Now I'm back, ready to stand on stage to represent Muntinlupa in the Miss Universe Philippines stage. 

"Maraming salamat po at naaalala pa ninyo ako kahit 10 years ago pa yun.

"Now, it's not just about me, but about my daughter, my family, and advocacy, the people I want to see. Motherhood is tough, but the Miss Universe Organization has given us a platform to share our story and share my experiences. Kaya ngayon makikita ninyo kung gaano ako ka ready," said Winwyn.

Miss Universe Philippine Muntinlupa 2025 Winwyn Marquez and Anna Magkawas, Miss Universe Philippines Muntinlupa National Director.

The Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 winner also shared advice to pageant newbies.

"It's not about winning but about how you are on stage and giving your all. We can never please everyone and we cannot promise everything. 

"But one thing for sure. If you can give your 100 percent on stage, that for you is a win. That's what others should think: winning is not everything but trying is more important. If you don't fail, you won't learn. So, I'll give my all on stage and show everybody I can do it," she said.

Winwyn, 32, is in a relationship with a non-showbiz boyfriend identified only as Rayn. They have a daughter named Luna.

The event also marked the leadership of Luxe Beauty & Wellness Group CEO Anna Magkawqas as the local director, reinforcing her advocacy for inclusivity and empowerment in the pageant scene.

Beauty Gonzalez acts with daughter Olivia in the movie 'Paquil'

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

Feb 10, 2025 08:19 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Located about three hours from Manila, Pakil is known for its patroness, the Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba, believed to have miraculous powers.

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Beauty Gonzalez and daughter Olivia

Showing on Feb. 12, the movie "Paquil" sets its sights on an old town in Laguna characterized by its strong religious spirit.  Located about three hours from Manila, Pakil is known for its patroness, the Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba, believed to have miraculous powers.

The themes of hope and healing intersect in this film directed by Lemuel Lorca (Ned's Project, Broken Hearts Trip). The story revolves around the characters Paolo ( played by JM De Guzman) and Cristina (Beauty Gonzalez), who meet in Pakil to connect and find their roots.

The narrative mainly centers on Christina, a former actress who returns to her beloved hometown after a series of career setbacks and a terminal illness diagnosis. Here, she finds meaning in reviving the local theatrical art form dubbed "komedya" which leads her on a journey of self-discovery and reconnection with her faith.  

For Beauty, "Paquil" is also significant because it is the first time her nine-year old daughter, Olivia Crisologo, can be seen acting in a movie. 

Viewers who watched "Paquil" during its premiere night agree that Olivia doesn't only take after her mother's good looks but also her talent in acting. Olivia plays the young Cristina in the film and has a few crying scenes.

Beauty recalled how Olivia landed her first acting project. "Tinanong ako one day ng director namin kung pwede ba siyang gumanap na young me. Sabi ko, basta walang linya kasi hindi siya masyadong fluent sa Tagalog eh. Siyempre sa bahay English, Bisaya, Tagalog. Halo-halo yung mga lingwahe niya. But she's more of English. Sabi ng director wala naman daw linya. Then I told her about it. She said yes."

(The director asked if I would have Olivia play the young me. I told him as long as there are no lines because she's not so fluent in Tagalog. Our household has a mix of languages like English, Bisaya, Tagalog. The director said no lines will be spoken, so I asked Olivia and she said yes.)

"Pagdating namin sa set, biglang nagkaroon ng linya. Then biglang iiyak. Siyempre ako yung mas kinakabahan sa kanya but thankfully,  we were all there to support her. Nairaos naman namin and she did one take lang," Beauty added.

(When we reached the set, we were surprised to learn that Olivia had to deliver some lines and a crying scene. I was more nervous than my daughter but we were all there to support her. We  survived it, and she only took one take.)

Beauty admitted that she and her husband Norman Crisologo, along with their nannies, are proud of what Olivia has done. "She (Olivia) did very well and I didn't expect na makuha niya agad. So parang na-realize ko na since sinasama ko siya sa set since baby pa, parang na-observe niya na  rin yung ginagawa ko," the proud mom stated.

"I'm just so happy that Olivia got to experience it all. She gets to think about what she wants to do later in life. Now she realized na mas gusto muna niya mag-school. After that, maybe pag malaki na siya, she can get into it (acting)," Beauty added. 

Produced by Resiko Entertainment Production, "Paquil" will be shown in 100 cinemas nationwide on Feb. 12.   Before its local release, it had already garnered international recognition at the Five Continents International Film Festival in Venezuela.

HAVING A MISTAKEN OR WRONG IMPRESSION

To get the wrong impression means to misunderstand or "misread" somebody's words or actions. For example, to be offended by something that wasn't meant to offend. To give the wrong impression, therefore, means to mislead someone in this way, often unintentionally.

A mistaken belief accompanies each and every one of us daily. Incorrect decisions and wrong doings are part of our daily life. First impressions are likely to be wrong as they are based on shallow assumptions about appearances, according to one leading expert. Professor Alex Todorov, from Princeton University, said faces that appear happy, even if they're not smiling, are commonly rated as trustworthy.

 

It is almost a ridiculous fact that man wants to know certain truths about mundane things. But really he seems least interested in even mundane truths as can be read many times in newspapers for example. There seem to be too many rash judgments, and the readers absorb these and make these their own. A fatal attraction!

 

This is sometimes referred to as journalistic mentality wherein accusations are generously made without proof. Evolution started this trend, when scientists stated for example that man evolved from the apes, without proof. The only proof they had was the missing link, and if I am not mistaken, it's still a missing proof until now.

 

To look for proofs is a mental activity, which is no longer a common thing nowadays, because it takes really time, effort and is too serious to think about. Yet in Christian education, thinking right is very important.That's why Philosophy is important in Christian life. To avoid error in thinking, the rules of right reasoning must be studied and mastered. Is it really totally neglected in today's modern education?

 

Thinking is actually an enjoyable activity but when one is pressured to get a good job for one's sustenance, then the other more mundane becomes attractive. After all, great thinkers often do not get (good?) jobs… .

 

Spiritual writers like the British Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) noticed that mankind had stopped thinking even two centuries ago. That was during his age. Man probably stopped thinking even earlier. He has ceased many times to search for the truth. It's easier to listen to gossip and believe in it. What a sign of weak minds!

 

Too often are we blind to the truth and as a consequence we easily believe in lies we only have to like it. Too bad, if people always like to close their eyes and ears especially while experiencing the delusion of error.

Friends or lovers

Friendship, a covenant, romance—no matter what you call it, David’s love for Jonathan is one of the Bible’s most beautiful

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Feb 7, 2025 01:26 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• What could David have meant by ‘your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women?’ It is not surprising that many have wondered whether this suggests an intimate relationship.

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DAVID AND JONATHAN Rembrandt's painting of King David and Jonathan on display at the Hermitage Museum in Russia

 

For the idea of love, biblical Hebrew has precious few synonyms. Yet the Hebrew of the Bible can communicate a rich sensation of love: the love of a man for a woman, the love of any human being for their fellow human, the love of Israel for Israel's God, and the love of God for all people.

 

As a religion scholar, however, I believe one of the greatest loves in the Bible is a story of friendship: the intense devotion between the warrior Jonathan and David, who later became king of Israel and Judah. For many readers, their relationship represents a platonic ideal, while others see something more.

 

‘With all your heart’

The main word for expressing love in the Hebrew Bible is ahavah, from the root ahav. It appears, for example, in the classic description of the relationship between God and Israel in the Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 6: “You shall love (v’ahavta) the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”

 

There are several places in the Hebrew Bible that demand that people care for one another, regardless of membership in any group, such as a tribe. Consider Leviticus 19:34, which invokes the Israelites’ suffering as slaves in Egypt: “You shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

 

The word ahav is also used to express emotional, romantic, and sexual love, as in Genesis 29, the story of Jacob and Rachel. The young man serves Laban, Rachel’s father, for seven years in exchange for her hand in marriage, which seem “but a few days because of his love for her.” But Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Rachel’s sister, Leah, first, then working another seven years for Rachel.

 

A BOY'S TRIUMPH David emerges victorious in his battle against Goliath (Illustration by Gustave Doré)

 

A steadfast love

Among the more passionate poems in the Hebrew Bible is one David is said to have pronounced for Jonathan and his father, Saul, the Israelite king.

 

The three first meet when David, portrayed as a young shepherd, volunteers to fight Goliath, who is portrayed as a towering giant of a soldier, a champion of the Philistines battling Israel. Shockingly, David slays him with a simple sling and stone, and Saul meets with the boy.

“After David finished speaking to Saul,” the author of 1 Samuel relates, “the body of Jonathan was bound to the body of David, and Jonathan loved him as he loved his own self.” The Hebrew word I translate as “body” here is a famously ambiguous one, nefesh, usually rendered as “soul,” “life,” or “personality.”

 

Many translators read this passage to mean that Jonathan and David form a covenant, a pact. Jonathan immediately removes his clothing and weapons and gives them to the other young man.

Their loyalty is tested as Saul becomes jealous of David’s increasing success. Yet the young men’s bond is steadfast.

 

DAVID AND SAUL A young David playing the harp to soothe King Saul (Painting by Julius Kronberg)

 

Jonathan eventually dies in battle, and Saul commits suicide. David composes a beautiful eulogy poem mourning both men, but his description of Jonathan is particularly striking:

“Jonathan lies slain upon your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!:

The passage uses a rare synonym for ahav when it describes Jonathan as “greatly beloved”—na’am, suggesting “love,” “affection,” or “pleasantness.”

 

Labeling love

What could David have meant by “your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women?” It is not surprising that many have wondered whether this suggests an intimate relationship.

That would appear to contradict prohibitions on homosexuality found in the Book of Leviticus. One thing to consider, however, is that Leviticus is devoted to priestly concerns. The prohibition is not found in the Book of Deuteronomy, which repeats so many of the prohibitions found in Leviticus. Another question is whether we really know what the Levitical language means: What exactly is being prohibited here?

 

One thing we can say with certainty is that LGBTQ+ love and identities have existed throughout human history, regardless of what they are called. Various cultures have been more or less sympathetic to sexual variation, but that variation has always been there.

 

David had many wives. Indeed, one of the most famous stories about him is his depravity in condemning a soldier, Uriah the Hittite, to a brutal death so that David could take Uriah’s wife, Bat-Sheva, as his own. But who’s to say whether David might have been open to an intimate relationship with a man he essentially called his lover?

 

David’s life was fraught with tragedy, and his family infamous for scandal – perhaps none greater than the tale of his son Amnon raping his half-sister Tamar. Nevertheless, tradition reveres him as the greatest king of Israel and Judah, the author of beautiful poetry and the father of King Solomon, who is credited with the ultimate biblical love poem, the Song of Songs.

I’d like to give the final word to the sages of the Mishnah, rabbinic literature written around the year 250 C.E.: “All love that depends on something, when that something ceases, the love fails; but all love that does not depend on anything will never cease. What is an example of love that depended on something? Such was the love of Amnon for Tamar. And what is an example of love that did not depend on anything? Such was the love of David and Jonathan.” (AP | The Conversation)

National Arts Month: Nurturing creativity and our shared sense of humanity

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Feb 8, 2025 00:03 AM

  

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February is National Arts Month (NAM), an annual tribute to the richness and diversity of Filipino creativity. 

 

Since 1991, February has been designated as National Arts Month through Presidential Proclamation No. 683, signed by President Corazon C. Aquino. This month-long commemoration underscores the importance of nurturing and recognizing local artistry as a vital part of nation-building and cultural identity.

 

The theme for NAM 2025, “Ani ng Sining: Diwa at Damdamin” (Harvest of the Arts: Soul and Passion) aptly captures the flourishing state of Philippine art. After years of pandemic-related challenges, the local art scene is now in full bloom, ready to showcase creative works that speak to the heart and reflect the passion of Filipino artists. 

 

Art, in its many forms, whether visual, performative, architectural, or literary, serves as a mirror of society. From paintings and sculptures to music, theater, and even digital media, art captures the complexities of human experience and preserves the soul of a nation. The creative process itself embodies freedom, imagination, and resilience, values that Filipinos have long demonstrated.

 

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) opened this year’s NAM with a ceremony held in front of its newly decorated building inside Intramuros, with its facade decked in intricately designed bamboo inspired by Bulacan’s Singakaban festival. 

 

The NCCA spearheads numerous events this month, in collaboration with both public and private institutions. The activities include a parade, free tour at Museo de Intramuros, a light display at the Metropolitan Theater, workshops, and art shows. Art Fair Philippines is among the highlights, moving this year from its traditional venue at The Link carpark to the more expansive Ayala Triangle, offering new experiences for art enthusiasts.

 

Moreover, galleries and museums nationwide, including the National Museum of Fine Arts and the recently renovated Ayala Museum become hubs for cultural immersion. The National Museum of Fine Arts provides an immersive survey of local art history and houses Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium,” a most precious example of Filipino fine art. 

 

It is time to bring the family to visit a museum or two. Visiting these spaces offers us a chance to connect with our artistic heritage and gain a deeper appreciation for contemporary expressions of creativity.

 

Art is often misunderstood as a luxury reserved for the elite. However, its impact is far-reaching. Throughout history, Filipino artists have used their craft to advocate for social justice, document the struggles of everyday life, and envision a better future. Art gives voice to what words sometimes cannot express and reveals truths that actions alone cannot convey. It fosters empathy, challenges perspectives, and inspires change.

 

This month reminds us of the essential role art plays in shaping our identity and collective memory. Pausing to engage in artistic activities — whether attending exhibits, watching performances, or simply creating something ourselves — nurtures not just our individual creativity but also our shared sense of humanity.

 

As our nation continues to evolve, art will remain a vital marker of its growth and maturity. National Arts Month serves as a reminder to celebrate the soul and passion that define us as a people. Let us continue to support and uplift Filipino artists whose works inspire, provoke, and unite us. In doing so, we contribute to a vibrant and enduring cultural legacy that will shape generations to come. 

Write as you speak (not really)

Do we ever learn rhythm in writing at grammar school?

BY AA PATAWARAN

Feb 7, 2025 02:20 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Always be a poet, even in prose. —Charles Baudelaire

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I’m usually very conscious of my deadlines when I write but only because I want time to read what I write over and over, sometimes aloud, and to change it here, there, everywhere I can make it sound better. Mostly, I only change for rhythm, what sounds good to my ears. 

 

I have no idea how I trained my ear, but then I also have no idea if my ear is trained enough. I mean, it’s possible that the rhythm I hear in my prose is lost on everybody else. It’s also possible that what sounds like music to my ears is just jarring to somebody else’s.  

 

Come to think of it, has any of your writing teachers in grade school, high school, or college ever taught you about rhythm? OK, we learned about poetry at an early age. In nursery or kindergarten, we learned everything in rhymes, even onomatopoeia (“Baa Baa Black Sheep,” “...with a quack quack here/and a quack quack there...”), but I guess you had to be so far advanced or specializing in language or composition or poetry to cover those things extensively. Otherwise, unless you had been lucky to have a poet on a day job for a language teacher, you were mostly limited to grammar and syntax.

 

James Ellroy

 

All I know is that you learn much about rhythm from reading constantly, the more diverse the material, the more you pick up. Some writers like Marcel Proust (Remembrance of Things Past) are generally slow and leisurely. Others are mostly fast and furious, say, James Ellroy (Black Dahlia, L.A. Confidential). But all writers must accomplish rhythm by varying the length of their sentences from paragraph to paragraph, lest they sound tedious or monotonous and tire the reader out. 

 

Marcel Proust

 

To illustrate the wonders a variety of sentence lengths can do to your writing, here are some basic tricks I learned, which I try not to keep in mind, except unconsciously:

 

         —Start with a short sentence. It gives the reader a jolt, which allows you to hold his attention long enough to follow it up with a long sentence that gives away the reason he is jolted in the first place. (Note: The preceding two sentences are an example of the trick we can call “The Short Sentence Followed by the Long Sentence.”)  

          —A short sentence that follows a long sentence packs a wallop, wrapping it up, if not punctuating it. Exactly what this sentence does. (Let's call this trick “The Long Sentence Followed by the Short Sentence.”)

 

          —There’s a short sentence. There’s a long sentence. There’s a way these sentences connect. That’s what you call rhythm. (This trick invokes “The Power of Three” or “The Rule of Three,” which is to use a succession of seemingly repetitive sentences, usually short and snappy and most effective if there are three of them. Again, the sentences above are an example: The first three are similar in length and style, and the fourth, departing from what the preceding three sentences have in common, strings them all together into one whole idea, instead of three separate ones.)

 

          —Whatever you do, don’t just do the first trick or the second or the third. You have to do them in combination and together with all the other tricks you might find in the book. In fact, all these three tricks you have to do sparingly and only to great effect.

 

Maybe, it’s all technical. When I started dabbling in poetry, I used to just play it by ear. I didn’t even know the first rule about haiku, which is to stick to three lines, the first and third line each with five syllables and the second line with seven. In the beginning, it sort of made it easier for me to do haiku, confident that I was at least technically grounded. Later on, however, I started to feel I was counting syllables rather than writing. 

 

 

In my book Hai[Na]Ku And Other Poems (2016, Anvil Publishing), I wrote “D|SLOYALTY,” a poem of nine passages, each of the five lines in each passage only 10 syllables long, no more, no less. That was a poem of nine passages, 45 lines, and 450 syllables, but I’m not sure: Do nine passages, 45 lines, and 450 syllables a poem make? Surely not. It’s always the beautiful thought, but it doesn’t hurt to make a beautiful thought even more beautiful in a thoughtful package.

 

At the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA), where I taught Fashion Journalism, I had a Filipino-American student, whom I considered the best among all the writing students I’d ever had in that school and in others. She wrote as she spoke and even verbally she was articulate, not eloquent, but articulate. At some point, I told her, “I would be the last one to tell you not to write as you speak because you can’t get more authentic than that, but given that you seem to have ease with words, I’m looking for some craftsmanship in your work.”

 

Don’t get me wrong: I had no objections to her style. I only wanted to push her further because since her writing was flawless, grammatically at least, I believed she could worry about other things and elevate her writing to an art form, the words well curated to provide images similar to that provided by a painting.

 

I guess that as her reader, at first impressed by the ease with which she took me from idea to idea, I began looking to be entertained not only by what she had to tell but by the way she told it.

 

Practice. Practice. Practice.

 

All of us who went to grammar school (and took it seriously) can write, but not all of us are writers. As Alexander Pope wrote in his Essay on Criticism, "True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, as those move easiest who have learn’d to dance.”