Former Dubai expat is first woman to run as provincial board member in Batangas district

DUBAI – A year after reestablishing her roots in the Philippines, former Dubai expat Armie Marie Bausas is breaking into the political scene in her home province of Batangas. Bausas, 41, is the first woman to run as Provincial Board Member for the first district of Batangas. Bausas filed her certificate of candidacy this month. The Filipina was a hotelier in Dubai for seven years while actively engaging in community volunteer works in the emirate before moving back to the Philippines in March, 2020. “I came back just before the lockdown. It was a turning point in my life and I decided to spend time with my parents,” she said. The break reignited her love for public service. Bausas is no stranger to politics. Her father is former three-term Batangas Board Member Benjamin Bausas. Her late grandparents also served public offices: Lorenzo Claudio Bausas, who served as Batangas Board Member for four terms, and Benigna Adrias Ignaco, who was acting Vice Governor of Batangas. “Being an Overseas Filipino Worker has instilled in me the value of contributing to the society and creating a positive change. This has given me the courage to live a purposeful life through public service. It is also a family legacy that I would like to carry on,” Bausas told Expatmedia.net.

Armie Marie Bausas with Emirati astronauts Hazzaa Al Mansoori (right) and Sultan Al Neyadi.

It was in 2013 when Bausas moved to Dubai to join Al Bustan Centre & Residence, a premiere hotel apartment in Dubai, as personal assistant to the Chief Operating Officer. Liza Ortiz, Director of Human Resources at Al Bustan Centre & Residences, describes Bausas as a “golden soul”. “She provided sufficient time and efforts during her term, by giving support, not only financially, but more importantly, her time and service to those who are in need, not only to the Filipino community but to other nationalities as well, since our workforce is composed of various diversity. She headed contribution efforts to those affected by Yolanda typhoon in the Philippines, and volcano eruption in Batangas, and also in other calamity and emergency situation in India, Nepal and Pakistan for our colleagues stricken by floods, earthquake and similar situation,” Ortiz told Expatmedia.net. “Even with her family, when she used to invite her sister and parents to come to Dubai for short vacation, I have witnessed Armie as a loving, responsible, and generous daughter to her parents and sister. That is why with her friends and new acquaintances, she’s totally a blessing for them. She thinks of others before herself. She always smiles, not only with her beautiful face but with her golden soul. She is always ready to help and extend a helping hand,” Ortiz added.

A proud Overseas Filipino Worker, Bausas was also actively involved in various community and charitable works and church activities. She supported advocacies on health and wellness, education, and welfare of children with special needs. She also joined organizations such as Toastmasters International where she further honed her knowledge and skills in leadership and communication and received various awards. She is also a member of Junior Chamber International Philippines, a non-profit organization aimed at providing development opportunities to empower young citizens to create positive change. “I call her ‘Ganda’, not just because of her beauty but because she is an overwhelmingly awesome person. When she wants something, you will definitely see the amount of discipline she will put into it so she will come out victorious,” Kareen Revisa, a colleague at Digerati Toastmasters Club, described Bausas.

Bausas had always been driven and disciplined, even as a student. She was a consistent honor student in her high school at St. Scholastica’s College Manila and graduated cum laude with a degree in Bachelor in Communication major in Advertising and Public Relations from Assumption College Makati. On her foray into Philippine politics, she hopes to “serve her fellow Batangueños” with pride and dedication. “I am passionate about reaching out to people and making a difference,” Bausas said, adding she will support programs and projects that advocate good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, women and youth empowerment, environment protection, and local businesses. PIA/Expat Media

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