The new category that will be included in the said contest for this year is its regional contest dubbed "Sugbuanong Binisaya and Iluko". This is a poem and short story writing competition open to all Cebuano writers who are not members or relatives of members of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino.
For the Gantimpalang Collantes, the essay writing category in Filipino, the first and second-prize winners last year will only be allowed to compete after two years.
The entry should be an original work, and not a revived/rehashed piece. It should not have also won in any contest and have not yet been published.
The theme for this year's contest is "Ang buwan ng wikang pambansa ay buwan ng mga wika sa Pilipinas," or any theme that will focus on the diversity of the Filipino language and culture.
The essay entry should be at least 15 to 30 pages in length. For the poem writing, it should be an anthology or a collection composed of seven to 10 poems. For short story, it should be at least 10 to 20 pages long, should be computerized or typewritten using the Arial font, size 12.
Cash prize worth P15,000 will be given to the 1st prize winner. The second prize winner will receive P10,000, while the third prize winner will receive P8,000. - Jasmin R. Uy