CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) is inviting the public to participate in this year's search for Talaang Ginto: Makata ng Taon 2022 (Poet of the Year).

Talaang Ginto: Makata ng Taon is a poetry writing competition organized by KWF that aims to stimulate and elevate the quality of Filipino poetry by recognizing seasoned and novice talents and voices in the art of poetry.

The contest is open to all Filipinos, male or female, except KWF staff and their relatives.

To enter, interested applicants need to submit a poem with one hundred (100) or more verses, or a collection of ten (10) short poems (10–12 verses) with a related theme. A title for the collection that will be submitted is required. Applicants are free to choose their own topics, but they must address a current social issue. Poems don't have to rhyme or be in rhyme order.

The collection of poems' theme can also be linked to Literature Month 2022's theme of "Rediscovering Folk Heritage."

Entries must be original and written in Filipino; they cannot be a translation of a previously published poem, and they must not have been published elsewhere. Anyone detected plagiarizing will have their winning participation in the contest invalidated by the KWF, and they will be unable to enter any future KWF contests.

Applicants have until February 28 to submit their entries for a chance to win one of three prizes: P30,000 and the title "Poet of the Year 2022," trophy and medal for the first prize; P20,000.00 and a plaque for the second prize; and P15,000.00 and a plaque for the third prize.

For more details, text or call 0928-844-1349 or email timpalak.gawad@kwf.gov.ph. (KWF/PIA-NCR)