Just Sayin': Pag May Time

I was thinking about something to write for this blog when I remember this Bubble Gang segment, "Ikaw at ang Ina". There was an episode wherein a daughter repetitively used this expression while talking to her boyfriend on the phone and her mom scolded her right after.

"Tawa-tawa din pag may time."
"Kain-Kain din pag may time."

"Aral-aral din pag may time."

"Tulog-tulog din pag may time."

Those sentences above are few examples of how this popular expression, “Pag may time” made a simple activity more pleasant and not to mention, entertaining to the ears of the listener. A simple verb is repeated to make an emphasis of the activity. After, an adverb, "din" which means also is added before the expression.

Today's generation used this expression to convey something, depending on the situation. For example, a sleep-deprived person may address to his Twitter followers, "Tulog-tulog din pag may time" because finally, he was able to get something that he lacks, which of course, is sleep. Another classic example is, a busy person may post, "Baka-bakasyon din pag time" because amidst the busy schedule, he was able to get a leisure time for himself. Sometimes, this expression is sarcastic depending on how it is delivered by somebody. 

It is unclear where this expression came from and who popularized it. It just popped out in the social media and like any other expressions, it spread like a wild fire in the internet. Netizens used this in their Facebook status, tweets and blogposts to add fun (though it irritating if overused) and make it positive.

On the serious note, "Pag may time" is just the same as with all other expressions (or Pinoy slang phrases) adapted by people. In this age where social media is relevant and internet changes the landscape of communication, it is no wonder that slang phrases like this is part of a change in a language. For a language is alive and characteristically, it is dynamic. Dynamic, in a sense that overtime, a language changes in line with the environment and the society. So more and more new vocabularies are created and introduced and some old ones have given a new meaning to make it fit into the society today.

However, “Pag may time” may not be pleasant all the time. Overuse of this expression could make people annoyed. The condition of the speaker is taken into consideration. Just imagine a tambay or a bum who will say “Kain-kain din pag may time.” Wouldn’t that make your blood boil? Or a person who is doing far less important than a task that needs to fulfill with an excuse to do it, “Pag may time”. What if there’s no time?

There’s no wrong in using “Pag may time” or even any slang phrases to communicate. But, isip-isip din pag may time. Think before uttering a single word. What's pleasant for you is opposite to others. Be tact and do right on time.