"Tawag Ng Tanghalan" Season 2 alumnus Sofronio Vasquez hails from Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental, so chances are, he’s familiar with the word puhon—a Bisaya term that roughly translates to “someday” or “God willing.”
Today, he’s living proof of 'puhon' fulfilled. As the first Filipino and Asian Grand Champion of “The Voice USA,” his story is one of relentless dreaming and the unwavering faith that, with perseverance, someday can become reality.
Sofronio is filled with gratitude and joy, and overwhelmed by the recognition he’s been receiving since returning to the Philippines in the first week of this month after winning "The Voice USA" Season 26 last December.
Even the icons of OPM are proud of him. Having grown up admiring the likes of Regine Velasquez, Gary Valenciano, and Ogie Alcasid, it feels surreal for him to now be interacting with these celebrated pillars of OPM whom he used to just watch from afar. "Now na may idea na sila, may recognition na sila kung sino [ako], it's overwhelming," he shared. "Parang 'yung term na grabe, grabe talaga!"
For new-generation singers, there's a profound happiness in performing alongside these icons. It's even more profound to build genuine 'relationships' with them beyond the stage. Sofronio has been getting advice from the senior artists, and one of his favorites came from Ogie, who reminded him to never stop praying.
"It's so simple, napaka-short ng message pero, parang, 'Oo nga. Kailangan natin mag-pray. In doubt, you pray. In happiness, you pray. In solidarity, in celebration, you need to pray," he reflected.
Ever since winning “The Voice USA,” he’s always made sure to acknowledge ABS-CBN, particularly “It’s Showtime,” as his true home. So when he returned to ABS-CBN for the first time after coming back to the Philippines, emotions poured in. "I came back crying," he revealed in an episode of Kapamilya Chat. "No'ng nando'n ako sa Studio B which used to be my workplace, kumbaga doon ako nagko-coach, tapos bumalik ako as a performer na, ang sarap sa pakiramdam."
At times, he'd find himself zoning out, still in disbelief over how his journey has unfolded. Everything feels so unbelievable, as if he's floating in a dream and unable to fully grasp how far he’s come. All of these—the champion title, singing with his musical influences—is the realization of the dreams Sofronio had six years ago when he first joined singing competitions on TV.
Sofronio is a living testament that success happens when you choose not to give up. Before gaining the recognition he has today, he almost joined every singing contest he could. This fierce determination, it turns out, was born from his experience growing up in a poor family and community in Ozamiz. From an early age, he was keenly aware of the harsh realities of life—the scarcity of resources and the truth that it isn't luck or magic that would change his family’s circumstances. It would take him dreaming big and taking decisive action to make it happen.
"Aware ako na for you to get those things that you really aspire in life, you have to do the hard work," he said. "Squatter kami. Kumbaga, nakikita ko na may mga kapitbahay kami na walang tsinelas. 'Pag tumataas 'yung tubig sa dagat, tumatalon lang kami,, hinahawi namin 'yung dumi. And I'm so proud to experience that kasi at the end of the day, mahirap talaga ang Pilipinas, eh."
"Doon namulat ang pagiging ambisyoso ko. Sabi ko, 'Feeling ko talaga kailangan ko mag-ambisyon.' Minsan, sinasabi nila na'yung 'ambisyoso' na term is a connotation of a negative one pero you should never think that way. 'Ambition' should always be positive," he continued.
But just like the struggles he faced in the province, stepping foot in Manila wasn’t any easier. Sofronio had his fair share of setbacks, losing in several singing competitions along the way. After his defeat on "Tawag ng Tanghalan," he felt that returning to his hometown wouldn't help him grow as an artist, so he approached the "It's Showtime" executives and asked if they could offer him a job. The only opportunity they had for him was to be a vocal coach for TNT contestants.
He felt awkward being called a coach, though, as he only saw himself more as a guide sharing the lessons he had learned through his own journey. And of the key takeaways he carried with him from the local singing competitions he joined up to “The Voice USA” was that a performance doesn’t always have to be perfect.
He admits that each rejection brought its share of disappointment and heartache. But through it all, he taught himself to get back up no matter how many times he fell, until he finally decided to give up. Sofronio set aside his dream of a music career in the Philippines and left for the United States to pursue a career in dentistry (he graduated with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Misamis University in 2015). However, some universal force pulled him back to singing, leading him to the auditions for "The Voice USA" Season 26.
"A Million Dreams" was truly a fitting finale song for him on "The Voice USA." Through his talent and unwavering determination, he rewrote his own story. From being a runner-up or facing defeat in the past, he proudly raised the Filipino flag on the global stage as the competition’s first Filipino and Asian champion.
Sofronio vividly recalls the surreal moment he was announced as the winner—it felt as if everything he had gone through flashed before his eyes. He was lost in his dream. He was only awakened from that dream when his coach, the world-renowned balladeer Michael Bublé, cupped his face and said, "Be present. You won."
Where, in the past, he would seek comfort from his mother's embrace after a loss, this time, when he returned home, he embraced her with pure joy. He whispered to her, "Ma, nanalo tayo." And her reply was quiet but meaningful, "Oo nga, nanalo ka." It was short, but just enough for Sofronio to feel the weight of his victory.
To his younger self, he would say, "Mangarap ka hangga't kaya mong mangarap because in twenty years, magiging champion ka."
Even without saying it directly, Sofronio's words and actions tell that he still carries the humility he had as a child. With modesty, he acknowledges that his triumph isn't his alone, but one he shares with the people helping him behind the scenes, which is why he strongly believes in teamwork and collaboration, which is certainly practiced in his preparations for an upcoming concert.
Also one of his dream collaborations is with singer-composer Rey Valera, a way of honoring the former TNT Punong Hurado, whose mentorship and words of encouragement during his time on the contest he continues to cherish.
And as a fan of Kapamilya teleseryes like "Bridges of Love," "Kadenang Ginto" (whose theme song was sung by his TNT batchmate and champion, Janine Berdin), and "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano," Sofronio is also open to trying his hand at acting. While part of him is uncertain about him becoming an actor, he knows there's no harm in dreaming. If given the chance, he'd love to take on bad roles, which he thinks is easier to pull off than drama-heavy characters. He also imagines himself making cameos in scenes that require a singer.
One thing is clear about Sofronio—he knows exactly what he wants, and it’s no surprise that the universe listens.