Sofronio Vasquez: A gift of song

Sofronio Vasquez knows that God gave him the gift of voice.

The newly crowned The Voice USA season 26 winner had everything aligned in his favor: a remarkable talent, Michael Bublé as coach, undeniable support from the Asian community in America and an inspiring backstory.

Vasquez is originally from Misamis Occidental, Northern Mindanao. Growing up in a squatters’ area, he always had the fear that their house would be demolished, he told Vogue Philippines. His grandparents worked at the market.

He studied hard, pursuing dentistry in college, because he was told that having a “beautiful profession” was key to achieving a great future.

Then came an opportunity on Philippine national television.

Vasquez joined an amateur singing competition, It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan, in February 2016. He didn’t make it past quarter two of the contest.

He returned to quarter three of the competition the following year and was announced as the daily winner after performing “Wildflower” by Skylark. He was also able to steal the “golden mikropono” from the defending champion, singing Shirley Bassey’s “I Who Have Nothing.”

Vasquez was able to defend his spot six times, reaching the semi-finals. However he fell short, placing only seventh in the finale.

With much determination, Vasquez took part in the “TNT All-Star Grand Resbak” featuring former contestants who failed to reach the finale. At the grand finals, he sang Amy Grant’s “Grown-Up Christmas List” but was soon eliminated for having the lowest number of score.

In 2023, Vasquez moved to the United States to work as a dental assistant at Utica, New York.

It was when he came across a post on virtual auditions for The Voice USA. He signed up, and he was back again on stage.

His rendition of Rose Royce’s “I’m Goin’ Down” earned him the coveted four-chair turn. He eventually chose Michael Bublé as his coach.

In the Battle Rounds, Vasquez won against fellow Team Bublé singer Aliyah Khaylyn. The two sang Jennifer Rush’s “The Power of Love.”

In the Knockouts, he performed “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” in a three-way competition with Kiara Vega and Jeremy Beloate. Vasquez advanced to the finale with his covers of Roy Orbison’s “Crying,” Elvis Presley’s “If I Can Dream” and The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” in the live shows.

At the finale on 10 December 2024, Vasquez was crowned the season’s winner.

“I’ve always dreamed to take the lead on stage and I’m always drawn to be a soul ballad singer,” he told Bublé.

Making history, Vasquez is now the first Asian and first Filipino to win a top US singing competition.

“Believe that you can, and manifest it with your whole heart.”

His passion, faith and resilience make him a worthy inspiration to all Filipinos.