Sofronio Vasquez talks to ‘It’s Showtime’ family, says noontime show believed in him

Sofronio Vasquez was back on “It’s Showtime” on Thursday to talk to the hosts via video call.

The newly crowned winner of “The Voice US” said he is still overcome with emotion.

“Napaka-emotional po ng naging panalo ko kagabi. Actually, hanggang ngayon po nanginginig po ako habang shine-share sa inyo, kasi parang pangarap ko lang po dati,” Sofronio said from a video call in Los Angeles, California.

[My win last night was very emotional. Actually, I'm shaking right now as I share with you my experience. This is my dream from a long time ago.]

Sofronio is proud of his beginnings on the noontime show, saying “Tawag ng Tanghalan at ‘It’s Showtime’ ‘yung unang naniwala sa ‘kin."

According to the singer, he only wanted to represent himself and Utica, New York, at the singing competition but the producers encouraged him to represent the Philippines.

“Mas maganda kung siguro ‘yung i-represent mo ‘yung Philippines kasi hindi pa sila nagkaroon ng talagang Filipino-blooded, full, and born and raised," he narrated the producers as saying.

[It would be better if you represented the Philippines because The Voice hasn't had a Filipino-blooded, full, born and raised, contestant.] 

“Tinuloy ko po ‘yun and dahan-dahan po naming pinaghirapan ‘yun at masaya po ako na along the way, talagang sincere at totoong pagmamahal ‘yung galing kay Michael Buble para sa Pilipinas,” Sofronio said.

[I followed their advice and worked hard to win the competition. I am happy that along the way, I felt a Michael Buble's sincere love for the Philippines.]

Sofronio added that Buble told him he has a deep connection with the Philippines because he is friends with Martin Nievera and dated a known “dyosa.”

The singer also revealed promising Buble that when he returns home to the Philippines, “It’s Showtime” would be the first show he will visit.

Sofronio also gave some encouraging words to aspiring singers who are struggling to make it.

“Siguro ang pinaka magandang advice na maibibigay ko, kahit anong, ilang beses kang na-reject, hindi talaga siya nagpapatunay na wala ka nang chance eh,” he said.

[The best advice I can give is, the number of times you are rejected is not proof that you don't have a chance.] 

“Sino ba naman kasi ang magiisip na ako, Bisaya, galing sa Mindanao, trying to just be someone in music—lahat ng auditions sinubukan ko pero 10 years after binigay sa akin. So hindi talaga siya ano ‘pag hindi mo titigilan,” Sofronio added.

[Who would have thought that me, a Bisaya from Mindanao who was just trying to be someone in music would be given a moment 10 years since I started auditioning. It's not impossible if you don't stop.] 

The singer also thanked his supporters. “Maraming maraming salamat po dahil pinatunayan po natin na kahit dito sa Amerika po ay di pwedeng talunin ‘yung lakas, sipag, at pananampalataya ng isang Pilipino. Dahil kahit saan, namamayagpag po tayo.”

[Thank you because we proved that even in America, Filipinos can win with hard work, determination, and faith. We can succeed wherever life taks us.]

Sofronio competed in “Tawag ng Tanghalan” in 2019 and finished as the third runner-up.

He made history as the first Asian and first Filipino to win "The Voice USA” and called it a dream come true.

— Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News