NESS ROQUE is a critically-acclaimed theater and film actor, and dramaturg working in local and international productions for more than a decade.

From 2023-2025, she was touring internationally with acclaimed Japanese contemporary theater company chelfitsch, performing in Japanese in Toshiki Okada’s "The Window of Spaceship `In Between'" (Tokyo, Kyoto, Wuzhen, Brussels, Seoul, and Paris).

Returning to Manila in 2026 after pursuing further studies in Tokyo, Ness recently played the second lead in “YEMAYA,” Eljay Castro Deldoc’s Filipino translation of Quiara Alegria Hudes’ “Yemaya’s Belly,” directed by Ed Lacson Jr. (9Works Theatrical), receiving praise from critics for her grounded and lived-in presence that helped give the play palpable life.

She also played a major role in Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Varela-Luarca’s Cinemalaya 2026 full-length film, “Mag-iina” adapted from Luarca’s Palanca-winning play, “Corridors,” produced by Scene Change.

She received a Best Supporting Actress Nomination from Cinema One Originals for her work in Ivy Universe Baldoza’s “Mga Anino sa Tanghaling Tapat” (2011). Other notable film works include leading roles in Raya Martin’s "How to Disappear Completely" (MoMA 2017, Locarno 2013) and "Now Showing" (Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2008). Ness also appeared in Kosai Sekine's mainstream feature film "Frontline” (produced by Lyonesse Pictures, Kino Films, and Pipeline; distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, 2025).

Other theater credits include performing featured roles in Sipat Lawin Ensemble’s "Batalia Royale" and PETA’s staging of Rabindranath Tagore’s "Ang Post Office." She also performed lead roles in productions at The Virgin Labfest, including Eljay Deldoc Castro’s "Si Maria Isabela at ang Guryon ng mga Tala", Mixkaela Villalon’s "Streetlight Manifesto", and Layeta Bucoy’s "Ellas Inocentes" (2008 Gawad Buhay! Best Actress Nomination).

A graduate of the Philippine High School for the Arts (Artistic Excellence Award - Theater Arts), Ness holds a bachelor’s degree in Filipino Literature from Ateneo de Manila University and a master’s degree in Global Arts - Arts Studies and Curatorial Practices from the Tokyo University of the Arts (MEXT Scholarship Grant, Best MA Thesis Award).