Meet Regine Gwyneth Templonuevo

Regine Gwyneth, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Being a first generation immigrant and the oldest out of my siblings, it has always felt like my life has been a trial run. From moving to a new country, then a new state, applying, then going to college, and moving out – it has all been new experiences that I have had to navigate growing up. Not to mention, working in the arts (a “nonconventional” field based on my traditional parents’ upbringing) to add to the mix of obstacles. The newness and inexperience that I carry going into facing these obstacles have always weighed heavily on my shoulders. Questions like, “Can I figure this out?” or “Am I capable of doing this?” or “Should I just give up?” are all things that circulate in my mind. Especially working in a field that does not have a stable income stream, I question if I am qualified or talented enough to even be pursuing my passions at all. That maybe I should throw it all away and work a 9 to 5 that will give me stability, but not the sustainability of living the life that I want to live. Then it hits me. There is a life that I want to live, a passion that spreads throughout my body, that, if not acted on, will eventually lead to the downfall of my internal system (dramatic, I know).

I remember that the newness and inexperience that weighs heavily on me, is just that – a new experience. Then, I start to remember more; I remember that life does not have a step by step instruction manual of how to handle things. I remember that this is an opportunity for me to grow to be a better version of myself. I remember that my past and what I have gone through has taken me to where I am today. And finally, I remember that every new room I step in, is a room that is safe for my siblings. So, whenever I feel inadequate or out of place, I remember my past, my people, and my passion to bring me back to reality.

Imposter syndrome is not something that I can say that I have overcome, it is still a reoccurring obstacle that I face. But there’s a comfort in me that knows that I’ll deal with it as it comes.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a sentimental person. Someone that feels great emotion and gratitude for the places and people that I have met throughout my life. Because of this, I believe that human connection and love is the greatest thing we can ever experience. Maybe it’s my naiveness or my heart, but I truly believe that art is the closest thing that we can get to be able to physically express the grand experience of life.

With that, I have multiple outlets that I am able to express this professionally. Theatre and Art.

While these two things have always been with me since I was young, I had never fully committed to keeping theatre and art into my life until after college. I was three when my family and I moved to Huber Heights, Ohio from the Philippines and you can imagine the culture shock and trauma that I experienced within those formative years of life. To manage the changes, I found solitude and comfort through art. I took art classes and participated in my 7th and 8th grade plays. Then, in 9th grade, we moved to Pearland, Texas. This change felt so big that I had to put art aside and focus on my future and getting into college. It wasn’t until 12th grade that I participated in all the theater shows my high school put up my senior year. Then college came around and I once again found myself thinking of the future and what that looked like. I came into college starting off with a major in Physical Therapy and leaving with an Associate’s in Fine Arts. It was in college, through an Intro to Theater class, that I found out that theater and storytelling have been around since the beginning of civilization.

In an effort to dig deeper in our human connection, I have devoted my life into expressing what that looks like through art. I work as a Freelance Artist in the Houston theater scene in many different areas. Areas such as, but not limited to; Acting, Stage Managing, Costume Designing, Show Control, Wardrobe Supervising, and anything else that sparks interest. I also create my own artworks from time to time, which you can find on my website; gwynethsgarden.com or through my Instagram; @gwynethsgarden.

At this point in my life, I have found that allowing myself to not have to fit in a certain box, has led to a fulfilling artistic journey. My main focus is to be able to continue doing “art” – whatever that means, for the rest of my life. With that being said, my first art exhibit, “GREATEST LOVE,” will take place on July 23, 2023 at Dan Electro’s.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that stand out to me are:

1. Accountability
2. Integrity/Honesty
3. Humility

Being accountable and having a good work ethic are traits of a good teammate. Being dependable and responsible can be as easy as showing up on time. This creates trust within the workplace, and for those who are self employed, being able to show up day in and day out is a quality that is so easy to implement on a daily basis.

Having integrity and honesty is also another form of trust. I believe that showing up as authentically as possible is a way to live as true as we are. (And I’ve never known anyone who liked liars).

Lastly, humility. There are many moments where I believe that opening up to the idea of not knowing and pushing ego away to truly be vulnerable is a humbling experience. It reminds me that not one human can know everything in the world and that no one is better than the other.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My family has always been a huge part of my journey. Whether it be my mother with all the wisdom, my father with all the undoubted optimism, or my siblings in their honest love and judgment, I know that they are people who will support me in anything I do. They have individually taught me multiple things whether they know it or not. They have taught me to be resilient, brave, and to love. Extending my gratitude to them whenever I can.