Dengvaxia, DDS, dilawan, fake news, federalismo, foodie, quo warranto, resibo, tokhang, train and troll.

One of these 11 buzzwords that hogged the limelight and social discourse in the last two years will be chosen as Salita ng Taon in Sawikaan 2018: Pambansang Kumperensiya sa Salita ng Taon on Oct. 26, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Institute of Biology Auditorium, UP Diliman (UPD). 

A word qualifies as an entry if it is coined or used as a new word; it has recently been adapted from an ethnic or foreign language; it is old but has gained a new meaning; or it has been revived from obsolescence. 

At the conference, presenters will discuss the merits of their entries. Judges and official delegates will decide which entry deserves the title. 

The presenters are Xavier Roel Q. Alvaran, Mark Angeles, Danilo A. Arao, Roy Rene Cagalingan, Junilo Espiritu, Schedar Jocson, Zarina Joy Santos-Eliserio, Myhkel “Chef Tatung”Sarthou, Atty. Aileen V. Sicat and co-presentors Ralth Fonte, MD/Ari Santiago and Jonathan V. Geronimo/John Robert Bautista.

The judges include representatives of three of the organizers, namely the Filipinas Institute of Translation, Inc., UPD Information Office and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. The event is also in cooperation with the UPD Office of the Chancellor.

Sawikaan began in 2004 and aims to follow the changes and development of the Filipino language as they function in social and cultural discourses. 

In past Sawikaan conferences, these were chosen as Salita ng Taon: canvass (2004), huweteng (2005), lobat (2006), miskol (2007), jejemon (2010), wangwang (2012), selfie (2014), and fotobam (2016).