What Martin Nievera told Sofronio Vasquez before final 'The Voice' performance

MANILA -- Concert King Martin Nievera said Sofronio Vasquez carried over a million dreams with him as he stepped onto the stage of The Voice USA as the very first Asian champion after 26 seasons.

According to Nievera, who had been offering Vasquez guidance throughout the competition, the big winner fulfilled a dream shared by him and many other OPM artists: shining a spotlight on Filipino talent.

“That was my battle cry since I started, that was one of the frictions of my marriage with Pops. I wanted to be that person. To make that stand. And Sofronio finally did it. He did it. And he did it in Bublé’s team, he is my kumpare,” Nievera explained in an interview held in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Nievera’s heart swelled with pride that yet another Filipino artist had placed the Philippines on the global stage.

“We all wanted that international fame and exposure, to be noticed. Filipinos have come and gone, third, maybe second, but no one has taken the title. He has taken The Voice by storm,” Nievera said.

“To make it today, you need more than just a great voice and a good song. You need to have a calling. And his purpose was to make his country proud… an unselfish move because even though he’s not yet in the business, he’s already taking something bigger than himself,” he added.

The "Be My Lady" singer said he also believes the historic win will open countless doors for Pinoy artists.

“He has done something none of us has done before. And that means, whoever follows, there is a chance for you. We have already been making waves in other industries—sports, makeup, architecture—now in our field,” he said.

But as much as the Concert King celebrated what Vasquez’s journey meant for the Philippines, he reminded him -- just before his heartfelt performance of “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman -- not to lose sight of his own dreams.

“I am sure Michael Bublé gave all the great advice. But I texted him, of the million dreams you have, save one for yourself. Because I know you are not dreaming for anyone else but for your family and the Philippines. But save one for yourself and you are already a winner,” he recalled. “Those are the words I told him right before the competition, and by God’s grace, he became the winner.”