Established in Spring of 2001, FUSION was designed to enhance and support the life of students in technical majors or with technical interests. Since then, FUSION has expanded through its 5 successful programs: the Mentorship Program, FUSION Conference (conFUSION), campuswide Science Fair (FUSION Technology and Innovation Festival), Building Cultural Structures (Bahay Kubo) and a Dance Team (FUSIONtek).
FUSION opens its door to ANY student who has an interest in the technical fields. This includes, but is not limited to: Engineering, ICS, Math, and Physics. FUSION had and has members ranging from Economics, to Biological Sciences, to Psychology and Social Behavior.
FUSION prides itself in providing the resources that university is unable to provide its students with technical interests. More specifically, FUSION aims to create a more well rounded student, who is socially, academically, and professionally balanced. Initially, FUSION was created in response to the lack of Filipino representation in the technical world, but it has gone on to provide a strong network of support, no matter the ethnicity.
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FUSION was first founded in 2001 by three roommates: Joanne “Muffin” Francisco, Kristine Gamatero, and Melissa Pacal.
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FUSION held its first meeting on April 18th, 2001 in the Interim Classroom Facility (ICF) 103.
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Under the name “Fuse ‘Dis,” FUSION’s Geoff Enriquez, Jr., Mel Panado, Errol Respicio, Alfredo Trinidad, and Priscilla Viste took 3rd Place at Kababayan’s Zotbowl 2002.
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In 2002, FUSION became the first student affiliate of Filipino American Society of Architects and Engineers (FASAE).
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In the Winter Quarter of 2003, FUSION officially changed its meetings from biweekly to weekly, making FUSION the first technical club to hold weekly meetings. FUSION took the time to offer study hours, workshops, fun engineering activities, and guests who were alumni and/or currently working in the technical field.
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On the 11th of February, 2003, FUSION Tek made its debut as the first ever engineering/technical dance team at Tau Beta Pi’s Annual Talent Show. Choreographed by Rachel Visita, the dance featured FUSION’s own Jeremiah Abraham, Brian Chen, AJ Directo, Jonathan Fong, Chris Guitarte, Edgar Salmingo, Jr., Kaywan Shiraz, and Ryan Vergara grooving to “Like I Love You” by Justin Timberlake, “Take It To Da House” by Trick Daddy, and “Gossip Folks” by Missy Elliot. FUSION Tek went on to perform the same dance again on May 14th, 2003, for the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, with Laureen Abustan, Jennifer Flores, and Ernest Sy dancing as well.
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In Week 1 of Spring Quarter, FUSION released its first ever newsletter. A quarterly publication, FUSION displayed the highlights of the Fall and Winter Quarters of 2002-03, such as Zotbowl, FUSION Tek, and its alumni and guest speakers.
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On May 3rd, 2003, FUSION made its first distinctive presence at Kababayan’s annual Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN). As a tribute to the culture, FUSION’s own AJ Directo, with the assistance of Laureen Abustan, Marissa Domingo, Geoff Enriquez, Jennifer Flores, Jonathan Fong, Edgar Salmingo, Jr., Ernest Sy, Ryan Vergara, and Rachel Visita built and presented its first “Bahay Kubo,” aptly named “Aming Bahay.”
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FUSION also produced and displayed its first ever commercial at the 2003 PCN. Entitled, “Lola: FUSION Linebacker,” the commercial advertised FUSION as well as delighted the audience. The commercial featured Rachel Visita as Lola, tormenting lazy FUSION members. Also featured was Alfredo Trinidad playing President Geoff Enriquez. Laureen Abustan, Jeremiah Abraham, Jennifer Flores, Jonathan Fong, Brian Paner, Edgar Salmingo, Jr., and Kaywan Shiraz.
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In 2003, FUSION’s 2002-03 Board consisting of Laureen Abustan, A.J. Directo, Jr., Geoffrey Enriquez, Jr., Jonathan Fong, Edgar Salmingo, Jr., Ernest Sy (author of the award-winning essay), and Rachel Visita were awarded Best Cabinet/Board by the University of California, Irvine, Dean of Students.
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FUSION Tek went on to perform twice more with a new dance, choreographed once again by Rachel Visita. FUSION teamed up with the Pilipino Pre-Health Undergraduate Student Organization (PUSO) to form “FUSION of PUSO.” Jumar Balacy joined in as FUSION Tek danced for PUSO’s and Kababayan’s End of the Year Banquet to Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River,” “Gossip Folks,” and DMX’s “X Gonna Give It To Ya.”
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On September 1, 2003, ucifusion.com was born, fully integrated with Blogger and a TagBoard.
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FUSION hosted its own conference known as ConFUSION on April 9th, 2004. This conference has become one of FUSION's biggest projects every year! The schedule for the conference can be seen here!
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