In the Philippines, so little of nature and open space has been left for us to appreciate that we hardly miss it in daily life anymore. Every tiny spot including the MRT is now plastered with advertisements. No place is sacred, even as schools are barraged with corporate intrusion and sales pitches.

For those of us who take the STAR Tollway often, it is a breath of fresh air, with only one billboard (and one MSG bottle) reminiscent of the old national road through San Pedro. If Batangas would like to attract visitors, STAR Tollway should be seen as the foyer of our home, the indication of what there is to see, and if it is filled with billboards, tourists will be looking for the same things -- fake, wasteful and manufactured instead of natural, ecological and sustainable. They would also treat the province in the same way. Studies have also shown that such billboards increase the likelihood of accidents.

Batangas should distinguish itself from the rest of the tourism industry all trying to recreate a cluttered Manila in the provinces. Unless we know what especialy distinguishes us and enhance that, progress will be quick but temporary, boring and destructive. STAR Tollway is a place to start.

We ask the newly elected local officials of Batangas to pass an ordinance that esssentially says

"Husto na nga kayo!!" (That is enough!)

NO MORE BILLBOARDS IN STAR TOLLWAY !!
AND THOSE THAT ARE ALREADY THERE SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN WHEN THEY DETERIORATE.

To our officials, you too pass STAR Tollway frequently and are able to take a respite from fast life by the bucolic scenery and the occasional crow or crested mynah crossing, please heed our petition.