Western Institute of Technology celebrated its 43rd Annual Cultural Contest last September 1, 2006, Friday, at the WIT Auditorium, Ricardo T. Salas Campus.  New events and old familiar categories were introduced in the roster of contests.  Broadcast live via the internet to our other campus at the Main Building, the Affair carried over the theme from the most recent College Day Celebration, "WIT: Standing Strong Amidst Challenging Times".  In an answer to W.I.T.'s vision of the integral growth of its studentry, this year's activity was redesigned to maximize such opportunity. 

Part of this new design was a one-day workshop preceding the contest in order to better prepare the contestants for their highly anticipated stage performance.  This Workshop was held last August 19, 2006, Saturday.  In the morning, all contestants underwent basic exercises (breathing, tension-release, and warm-ups) and several games for the enhancement of their concentration skills.  In the afternoon, the group was divided into three more specialized groups:  the Elocution Group (Oration, Declamation, Extempo) facilitated by Engr. Leanne Salas; the Music Group (Guitar Solo, Vocal Duet) facilitated by Ms. Dora Jane Balleras; and, the Dance Group (Creative Hiphop) facilitated by Mr. Avelino Dayang, Jr.  Certificates and free snacks were distributed at the end of the day.  There were around 90 contestants in attendance.

The following are the working committees responsible for the success of the 43rd Annual Cultural Contest:
 Overall Chair/Coordinator:  Engr. Leanne Claire Marie F. Salas
 Vice-Chair:  Ms. Marian Therese C. Mesa
 Secretariat:  Ms. Evelyn L. Galve, Ms. Joelita M. Tolentino (Arts & Science)
                    Engr. Ma. Victoria J. Aying (Engineering)
                    Mr. Jose Prado (Commerce)
 Time Keeper:  Engr. Rosalinda Moleño
 Physical Arrangements:  Engr. Richard Kenneth F. Salas
 Multimedia:  Engr. Jose David Chiva
 Broadcast to Main Building:  Engr. Gerard Glenn Dalisay

 CONTEST WINNERS 

ENGLISH ORATION
1st Place  #3 Secretarial (Ann Julyn A. Bito-onon)
2nd Place:  #7 LA (Nathy Melin)
3rd Place:  #6 BSA (Karl Laruan)

ENGLISH EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING
1st Place:  #6 Secretarial (Ann Julyn A. Bito-onon) -unanimous
2nd Place:  #2 CE (Ruel Fullon)
3rd Place:  #8 ME (Michael Dongon)

FILIPINO DECLAMATION
1st Place:  #8 LA (Mary Grace Bonita) -unanimous
2nd Place:  #2 CompE (Arthur Soqueña)
3rd Place:  #6 BSA (Charel Ordinario)

FILIPINO EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING
1st Place:  #9 Secretarial (Nizel Estandarte)
2nd Place:  #8 BSC (Jeffrey Tablante)
3rd Place:  #6 CE (Ruel Fullon)

GUITAR SOLO
1st Place:  #7 ME (Erick Cris Naldoza) -unanimous
2nd Place:  #3 LA (Kiril Jun Tolentino)
3rd Place:  #6 EE (Mark Christopher Ferrariz)

VOCAL DUET POP (OPM)
1st Place:  #3 LA (Isaandra Joy Bulahan, Adones Belandres)
2nd Place:  #8 CE (Dennis Gamarcha, Lea Jane Dacones)
3rd Place:  #5 Secretarial (Rodelyn Hermano, Sheila Mae Jacusalem)

CREATIVE HIPHOP (DANCE)
1st Place:  #9 MarE (Jhikky Tubola, Chester Parman,
                               Vickmund John Garcia, June Mark Lunaspe,
                               Larvinson Bagalawis, Alvin Roy V. Fegarido)
2nd Place:  #6 ME (Jonald O. Tillor, Sherbert Paz,
                             Frenve P. Reyes, Paul C. Divinagracia,
                             Reymer A. Cerbas, Jeston N. Fortuna)
3rd Place:  #2 CompE (Joseph Terre, Almer Laureta,
                                  Rylan Rex Codis, Albert Dy,
                                  Rudy Alonzo Jr., Ric Suobiron) 

OVERALL CHAMPION:  Secretarial Department
1st Runner-up:             Liberal Arts Department
2nd Runner-up:            Mechanical Engineering Department