Pinoy American's resilience celebrated in 33rd Annual FACC Gala


By Susan Palmes-Dennis

‘We conducted ourselves responsibly and by doing so, we survived.’

Dr. Rosen Lawsin with son Ro Lawsin
This was the core of Dr. Rosen Lawsin’s message which she delivered as keynote speaker of the 33rd Gala Night of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. (FACC) held last Nov. 12, a Saturday, at the Hilton Charlotte Airport Hotel.

About 570 attendees gathered for the event held after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Rosen wore a red gown and pinned her hair on a bun and she was introduced by her own son Ro Lawsin, this year’s FACC Ex- Officio member. 

This year’s FACC Gala Night carried the theme ‘Pearl of the Orient: Seas, Sights and Sounds, Pearly Nights of Elegance and Glamour.’

Speaking on the event’s theme, Rosen reminded those in attendance that the Philippines was the first to be named and known as ‘the Pearl of the Orient Seas’ by the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal who used the description to profess his love of the Philippines, his homeland. 

Grand Dame of FACC Dr. Nini Bautista 
keeping true to the gala theme of 'Pearl of
the Orient Seas' with her yellow gown 
and pearls.  
A psychiatrist, Rosen said Filipino-Americans heeded the medical advice on the virus and mostly survived due to the strong support of family and friends.

In her years of psychiatric practice, Rosen said fear is the most common problem that led patients to seek treatment and counsel from her. This includes fear of losing what he or she achieved personally, along with family and relationships. 

‘What is fear? It’s a loss of control of one’s thoughts, feelings and actions,’ she said.

Rosen said lack of self-awareness caused helplessness and hopeless among some people, leading to panic attacks. 

Thankfully, the Filipino’s virtues of patience, persistence and perseverance lead him/her to overcome challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, Rosen told those in attendance.

She said these virtues were with her when she and her family journeyed to the US. It also took resilence on their part to eventually settle down for good in America, Rosen said. 

Dr. Rosen Jamandre Lawsin is a retired Lt Colonel of the US Army Medical Corps and a veteran of the Gulf War popularly known as ‘Desert Storm.’ She was married to the late Rogelio Bro Lawsin, a lawyer by profession. 

They raised two sons and two daughters and now Rosen is proud of her six grandsons and three granddaughters.



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