[citation needed] Her first short story, "Katugon ng Damdamin,"[1] was published in Liwayway magazine and thus started her writing career.

[2] Despite a lack of formal training, Bautista as a writer became known for her honest realism, courageous exploration of Philippine women's issues, and compelling female protagonists who confront difficult situations at home and in the workplace with uncommon grit and strength.

Bautista garnered several Palanca Awards (1980, 1983, and 1984) for her novels ‘GAPÔ, Dekada '70 and Bata, Bata… Pa'no Ka Ginawa?, which exposed injustices and chronicled women's activism during the Marcos era.

These events happened after the bombing of Plaza Miranda, the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, the proclamation of martial law and the random arrests of political prisoners.

The oppressive nature of the Marcos regime, which made the people become more radical, and the shaping of the decade were all witnessed by the female protagonist, Amanda Bartolome, the mother of five boys.

[4] Two of Bautista's short stories won the Palanca Awards, namely "Tatlong Kwento ng Buhay ni Juan Candelabra" ("Three Stories in the Life of Juan Candelabra"), first prize, 1982; and "Buwan, Buwan, Hulugan mo Ako ng Sundang" ("Moon, Moon, Drop Me a Dagger"), third prize, 1983.

In 2000 she wrote Gusto Ko Nang Lumigaya, the screenplay for Maryo J. de los Reyes' political drama thriller.

[6][7] Excerpts of Bautista's novels have been anthologized in Tulikärpänen, a book of short stories written by Filipino women published in Finland by The Finnish-Philippine Society (FPS), a non-governmental organization founded in 1988.

Tatlong Kuwento ng Buhay ni Julian Candelabra (1st prize, Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, 1983) was translated in English and published by The Lifted Brow in Australia.

News of the offer led to Bautista being congratulated by fellow writers and literary organizations in the Philippines, including the National Book Development Board, screenwriter Jerry Gracio, poet Merlie Alunan, and Ateneo de Manila University Press director Karina Bolasco.