Norma Castro-Baja always dreamed of representing her country in the world stage. She nurtured this dream
in pageants and in oratorical contests in her elementary and high school years (In 1957 Mrs. Baja placed
second after the now Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban)where she played roles
for and talked about the Philippines.
She pursued her dream in the University of the Philippines where she graduated with Bachelor of Arts in
Foreign Service. Her favorite interests ranged from international politics, history and international laws.
She had passed the examination for foreign service staff officer and was studying French in preparation for a
career in foreign service. She took courses in foreign relations at the London School of Economics, and
French Language course at Alliance Francaise in Paris. Her marriage to Ambassador Lauro L. Baja, Jr.,
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, provided a dramatic twist of faith to her dreams.
“ In those days, they don’t allow husband and wife to be assigned in the same post”, Norma Castro Baja
said. “ I had to give way to my husband”, she added.
While playing a supporting role to her husband, Norma Baja has not been idle. Successfully, she worked as
political analyst and secretary to the Cambodian Ambassador in Manila(1963-66). She also had been
President and Founder/ Owner of Labaire Group of Companies: Labaire International Travel Incorporated -
Philippine Airlines Silver Awardee (six times) as one of the best producing travel agencies for the year 1990-
1996; Labaire Apartelle, Labaire Beach Resort and Labaire Realty.
Along with her business interests, she became president and founder of ASEAN Ladies Circle, Manila,
Philippines (1996-97, 1998-2002), vice president and founder of Department of Foreign Affairs Ladies
Association, Manila, Philippines (1996-1999), Over-all Vice Chairman in International Bazaar Foundation,
Manila, Philippines (1995-96,98,2001-03) and Treasurer Philippine Ambassador Ladies Association .
Norma Baja has been active in many organizations where her husband had been posted. She was
president of the Asia Pacific Ladies Association, Brasilia, Brazil (1990-93) and founder of the Asean Ladies
Circle (ALC), New York, USA. Last year, ALC organized the Asean Food Bazaar to raise funds for the tsunami
victims. Mrs. Nane Annan wife of the Secretary General of the United Nations, lauded the ALC under the
leadership of Mrs. Baja for all their charitable works. Mrs. Baja is also an Executive Committee Member of
the United Nations DiplomaticWives Committee, Executive Committee Director of the Asia PacificWives of
Chief of Missions Association and member of UN Women Forum.
“I did not become an ambassador but I ammarried to one,” Mrs. Baja said. “in many significant ways, I am
also fulfilling my childhood dreams,” she added.
in pageants and in oratorical contests in her elementary and high school years (In 1957 Mrs. Baja placed
second after the now Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban)where she played roles
for and talked about the Philippines.
She pursued her dream in the University of the Philippines where she graduated with Bachelor of Arts in
Foreign Service. Her favorite interests ranged from international politics, history and international laws.
She had passed the examination for foreign service staff officer and was studying French in preparation for a
career in foreign service. She took courses in foreign relations at the London School of Economics, and
French Language course at Alliance Francaise in Paris. Her marriage to Ambassador Lauro L. Baja, Jr.,
Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, provided a dramatic twist of faith to her dreams.
“ In those days, they don’t allow husband and wife to be assigned in the same post”, Norma Castro Baja
said. “ I had to give way to my husband”, she added.
While playing a supporting role to her husband, Norma Baja has not been idle. Successfully, she worked as
political analyst and secretary to the Cambodian Ambassador in Manila(1963-66). She also had been
President and Founder/ Owner of Labaire Group of Companies: Labaire International Travel Incorporated -
Philippine Airlines Silver Awardee (six times) as one of the best producing travel agencies for the year 1990-
1996; Labaire Apartelle, Labaire Beach Resort and Labaire Realty.
Along with her business interests, she became president and founder of ASEAN Ladies Circle, Manila,
Philippines (1996-97, 1998-2002), vice president and founder of Department of Foreign Affairs Ladies
Association, Manila, Philippines (1996-1999), Over-all Vice Chairman in International Bazaar Foundation,
Manila, Philippines (1995-96,98,2001-03) and Treasurer Philippine Ambassador Ladies Association .
Norma Baja has been active in many organizations where her husband had been posted. She was
president of the Asia Pacific Ladies Association, Brasilia, Brazil (1990-93) and founder of the Asean Ladies
Circle (ALC), New York, USA. Last year, ALC organized the Asean Food Bazaar to raise funds for the tsunami
victims. Mrs. Nane Annan wife of the Secretary General of the United Nations, lauded the ALC under the
leadership of Mrs. Baja for all their charitable works. Mrs. Baja is also an Executive Committee Member of
the United Nations DiplomaticWives Committee, Executive Committee Director of the Asia PacificWives of
Chief of Missions Association and member of UN Women Forum.
“I did not become an ambassador but I ammarried to one,” Mrs. Baja said. “in many significant ways, I am
also fulfilling my childhood dreams,” she added.
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