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The Voice US Season 26 Winner Sofronio Vasquez Is Now a Star Magic Artist

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<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740666607308METRO SOFRONIO 0643 LOGO.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Sofronio Vasquez, as photographed by Dix Perez</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p><strong>Sofronio Vasquez</strong>’s journey towards his dreams was not smooth-sailing. He faced many challenges and received painful comments before he became the first Filipino and Asian to win <strong><em>The Voice US</em></strong><em></em><em>. </em>In a way, those bitter memories made his success even sweeter.<em></em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong> And because he turned the pain into a powerful driving force, he emerged on top. </p><p>“<em>Habang</em> I was doing the blind auditions,“ Sofronio began explaining one of the painful things he realized during <em>The Voice</em>.<em></em> “<em>Kasi</em> I think it’s painful for not just me, but also painful for the Filipinos in history <em>na</em> we are always given the chance to be on stage<em> kaso mukhang hindi naman ipapanalo ’yan</em>… bait ’<em>yung</em> Filipino <em>na magaling</em>, <em>ganyan-ganyan</em>. At the finals itself, <em>ilalaglag din</em>. It was really painful reading it <em>kasi nakakalungkot siya na talagang ’yung</em> Filipinos <em>n</em><em>a</em>-submerge <em>na du’n sa</em> idea <em>na</em> ’<em>Oo nga</em>, <em>talagang ilalaglag na tayo.’</em>” </p><div><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/2/24/the-voice-us-season-26-winner-sofronio-vasquez-is-the-new-star-magic-artist-1815" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#x27;The Voice&#x27; US Season 26 Winner Sofronio Vasquez Continues to Reach for the Stars</a></strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740695720289METRO SOFRONIO 0660 LOGO.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740695761328METRO SOFRONIO 0520 LOGO.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>But, despite people’s doubts, Sofronio continued working his way up to reach his dreams and even gained fans who stood by him no matter what. </p><p>“But I really think that I handled it very well,” he added. “Because <em>kung may mga taong nagiging </em>negative in a way,<em> talagang may mga lumalaban din</em>… So, <em>hindi na ako nag-iisa</em>.”</p><p>Even after winning the title, Sofronio still isn’t spared from receiving hateful comments; people would ask why he returned to the Philippines when he can have all the glamour and recognition of being an international artist. He commented on this while being grateful during his contract signing with the<strong> Star Magic</strong> management. He shared, “I’m just super blessed to be given this opportunity. I always say this <em>sa lahat ng</em> interviews <em>ko</em>, it has been my dream to just be recognized. And now, given the recognition, I am sitting with the VIPs, the bosses of ABS-CBN.”</p><div><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/1/25/metro-artist-spotlight-sofronio-vasquez-how-a-filipino-dreamer-made-history-on-the-voice-us-1542" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Metro Artist Spotlight on Sofronio Vasquez—How a Filipino Dreamer Made History on &#x27;The Voice US&#x27;</a><br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740695875151METRO SOFRONIO 0790 LOGO.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740695914671METRO SOFRONIO 0808 LOGO.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>The bosses of ABS-CBN, including COO for Broadcast <strong>Cory V. Vidanes</strong>, also thanked Sofronio and assured him there’s more for him in the industry. ABS-CBN’s Head of TV Production and Star Magic Head, Director <strong>Laurenti Dyogi</strong>, said, “I&#x27;d like you to know <em>na sobrang importante</em> ’<em>yung pagkapanalo mo</em>, ’<em>yung pagiging</em> recognized <em>mo bilang unang Asyano at bilang unang Pilipino sa entablado sa Amerika</em>.” </p><p>He added, ”It was the dream of every Filipino artist to prove to the world continuously <em>na mahusay ang mang-aawit na Pilipino</em>. <em>At maraming salamat dahil ikaw ang bagong simbolo ng mga pangarap na iyon</em>. And I know in our hearts <em>na nakita rin namin</em>, <em>umuwi ka dito,</em> <em>p’wede ka naman na manatili doon</em>, but you opted also to be coming here, to be sharing your victory, to be celebrating with your countrymen.”</p><div><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/people/digital-covers/metro-man-kumu-cover-star-sofronio-vasquez-iii/29200" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sofronio Vasquez III Is Our First-Ever Metro Man x Kumu Cover Star</a><br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740696032252METRO SOFRONIO 0963 LOGO.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>ABS-CBN’s Business Unit Head and the Head of <strong>Polaris</strong> management, <strong>Reiley Santiago</strong>, also shared a message with Sofronio: “We know you deserve all the love that you are receiving. So that’s why we’re celebrating this event for you. We knew for many years, with <em>TNT</em> [<em><strong>Tawag Ng Tanghalan</strong></em>] and <strong><em>It’s Showtime</em></strong>, we knew you had the skills, the heart, the mindset, and that it’s just a matter of time <em>na ma</em>-recognize <em>ng buong mundo ’yung talento mo</em>. So, you are proof that what we do here every day, looking for raw Filipino talent and lifting it up will always pay off. Because now, because of you, we can remind everyone that the Filipino voice is world-class and worthy of being heard.”</p><p>Having showcased world-class <em>Pinoy</em> talent, he’s off to more opportunities here and abroad. He’s in the process of preparing for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGRj6DwS2cd/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">his international tour</a>. He shared that he’ll be flying to Los Angeles, California on March 8 and will open and close the Manila International Film Festival; during which event, he will also share the stage with Grammy Awards nominee, Deborah Cox, in one of his performances.</p><div><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/1/10/sofronio-vasquez-looks-back-on-his-live-streaming-gig-and-first-magazine-cover-feature-0037" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sofronio Vasquez Looks Back on His Live Streaming Gig and First Magazine Cover Feature</a><br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740696251630METRO SOFRONIO 0053 LOGO.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1740696277949METRO SOFRONIO 0363 LOGO.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">On Sofronio: Suit by Griffin Malazarte</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>His tour will continue on <strong>March 15</strong> at the Bal Theatre in San Francisco, California; <strong>March 29</strong> at Hiram Johnson Auditorium in Sacramento, California; <strong>April 25</strong> at Petrus Hall in Winnipeg, Canada; <strong>May 2</strong> at Rajveer Hall in Calgary, Canada; <strong>May 4</strong> at Riverside Hall in Vancouver, Canada; <strong>May 24</strong> at the World Trade Center in Dubai, UAE; <strong>June 14</strong> at The Stanley Theatre in Utica, New York; <strong>July 19</strong> at The Townhall in New York City;<strong> July 25</strong> at the Sydney Coliseum in Sydney, Australia; <strong>July 26</strong> at Melbourne, Australia (exact venue to be announced); with many more shows to be announced.</p><p>This series of shows could take a toll on his voice and his well-being. So, we asked him about his pre-show routine, and he said, “I am a testament <em>na dapat nag</em>-vocalize ’<em>yung</em> singer and <em>dapat nagha</em>-hydrate. Whether it’s cold water or lukewarm water, <em>basta</em> hydrate <em>lang talaga</em>… [I watch] motivational videos. And it’s really weird <em>na ’yung</em> motivational videos <em>ko</em> are the vlogs from the Filipinos who are vloggers in the Philippines, whether it’s a comedian or not. <em>Kumbaga</em>, I just feel home every time <em>na nakikita ko na nagkukulitan ’yung mga Pinoy</em>.”</p><p><em>The Voice US </em>Season 26 winner <em></em>Sofronio Vasquez is further proof that Filipinos can succeed on the global stage. He’s still got <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV1_ZeofKAA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a million dreams</a>, and he’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I61aYPDPvHs&amp;list=RDI61aYPDPvHs&amp;start_radio=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">unstoppable</a>. Now, everyone’s excited to see what more he will achieve as the “Filipino Phenom.”</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGc7GYfTP-z/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A1908722.2000000002%2C%22ls%22%3A17200.099999999627%2C%22le%22%3A18019.700000000186%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="849" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGhNgEEpvkk/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A1935845%2C%22ls%22%3A17200.099999999627%2C%22le%22%3A18019.700000000186%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Photography by <strong>Dix Perez</strong></p><p>Creative direction by <strong>Chookie Cruz</strong></p><p>Sittings editor: <strong>Grace Libero-Cruz</strong></p><p>Styling by <strong>Macky Combe</strong></p><p>Fashion coordination: <strong>Aida Patana</strong></p><p>Grooming by <strong>Peps Silvestre</strong></p><p>Videography by <strong>Pat Buenaobra</strong></p><p>Special thanks to <strong>Star Magic</strong> and <strong>Polaris</strong></p>

<p>Turning pain into power—Sofronio Vasquez talked about some of the challenges he faced as a Filipino achiever on the global stage.</p>

Turning pain into power—Sofronio Vasquez talked about some of the challenges he faced as a Filipino achiever on the global stage.

Turning Pain Into Power—Sofronio Vasquez on Rising Above Challenges and Doubts

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Turning Pain Into Power—Sofronio Vasquez on Rising Above Challenges and Doubts

Tricia Matias

Published February 28, 2025 07:00 AM PHT

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Updated February 28, 2025 07:09 AM PHT

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