Sofronio Vasquez

{{Infobox person

| name = Sofronio Vasquez

| image = File:Sofronio Vasquez at Malacañang-01082025-03 (cropped).jpg

| alt = Man wearing a Barong Tagalog

| caption = Vasquez in 2025

| birth_name = Sofronio Parojinog Vasquez III

| alias =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|11|8}}

| birth_place = Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental, Philippines

| relatives = Reynaldo Parojinog (uncle)

| agent = {{Plainlist|

Star Magic (2025–present)

}}

| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes

| genre = {{hlist|Pop|R&B|soul}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}

| label = Universal Music Group

| instrument = Vocals

| years_active = 2012–present

| website = {{URL | {{Wikidata|property|Q131425469|P856}} }}

}}

Sofronio Parojinog Vasquez III (born November 8, 1992) is a Filipino pop singer based in the United States. He is the winner of season 26 of the American talent competition The Voice. Vasquez is the first Filipino to win the competition, as well as its first male Asian winner. He competed on the team coached by Michael Bublé, giving Bublé his first win as a coach on the show

Vasquez previously competed on the second season of Tawag ng Tanghalan in 2017, finishing as a finalist and returning for its all-star spin-off in 2019 where he finished in third place.

Early and personal life

Vasquez was born in Misamis Occidental to Aida Parojinog, a member of a politically active family in Ozamiz, and Oniol Vasquez.{{Cite web |last=Ciar |first=Troy R. |date=2025-01-08 |title=Ciar: Ang kaagi ni Sofronio isip kontesero |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/superbalita-cebu/ciar-ang-kaagi-ni-sofronio-isip-kontesero |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=ceb}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/things-to-know-sofronio-vasquez-the-voice-usa-winner|title=Who is Sofronio Vasquez, the first Asian winner of 'The Voice USA?'|website=Rappler|date=December 11, 2024|archive-date=December 11, 2024|access-date=December 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211080805/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/things-to-know-sofronio-vasquez-the-voice-usa-winner/|url-status=live}} He cites his father–whom he also regarded as his first coach–for his affinity for singing.{{cite news|last=Jasckson|first=Matthew|url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/everything-to-know-about-sofronio-vasquez-on-the-voice-season-26|title=Everything to Know About Sofronio Vasquez on The Voice Season 26|website=NBC|date=December 9, 2024|archive-date=December 10, 2024|access-date=December 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210185828/https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/everything-to-know-about-sofronio-vasquez-on-the-voice-season-26|url-status=live}}

Vasquez studied dentistry and practiced as a dental hygienist.{{cite web |last1=Espina-Varona |first1=Inday |date=December 11, 2024 |title=What Sofronio Vasquez did right in 'The Voice' finale |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/what-sofronio-vasquez-did-right-the-voice-finale/ |website=rappler.com |publisher=Rappler |access-date=11 December 2024 |archive-date=10 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210170933/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/what-sofronio-vasquez-did-right-the-voice-finale/ |url-status=live }} After the death of his father in June 2018, he was inspired to pursue a singing career, working as a singer for the Carnival Cruise Line and entering singing competitions.{{Cite news |last=Bardinas |first=Mary Ann |date=2025-01-08 |title=Former job, favorite food, and other things to know about Sofronio Vasquez |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/1/7/former-job-favorite-food-and-other-things-to-know-about-sofronio-vasquez-0132 |work=ABS-CBN News}} In 2022, Vasquez moved to Utica, New York, where he worked as a dental assistant to provide for his family.{{Cite news |last=Afinidad-Bernardo |first=Deni Rose M. |title=Asians rally behind Filipino Sofronio Vasquez to become 'The Voice' first Asian winner |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2024/12/11/2406634/asians-rally-behind-filipino-sofronio-vasquez-become-the-voice-first-asian-winner |access-date=2024-12-12 |work=Philippine Star|date=December 11, 2024}}

Career

= 2017–2019: ''Tawag ng Tanghalan'' =

{{Main|Tawag ng Tanghalan season 2|Tawag ng Tanghalan: All-Star Grand Resbak}}

In 2017, Vasquez competed in the second season of Tawag ng Tanghalan, a segment of ABS-CBN's noontime variety show It's Showtime where he finished in seventh place. He later competed in the All-Star Grand Resbak spin-off of the program and finished in third place. {{cite news|first=Gavin|last=Martinez|url=https://usa.inquirer.net/157230/tawag-ng-tanghalan-finalist-shines-in-the-voice-usa|title='Tawag ng Tanghalan' finalist shines on 'The Voice'|website=USA Inquirer|date=September 22, 2024}}{{cite news|first=Mary Ann|last=Bardinas|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/12/11/a-look-back-on-sofronio-vasquez-s-remarkable-journey-in-tawag-ng-tanghalan-1816|title=A look back on Sofronio Vasquez's remarkable journey in Tawag ng Tanghalan|website=ABS-CBN|date=December 11, 2024|archive-date=December 14, 2024|access-date=December 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214025919/https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/12/11/a-look-back-on-sofronio-vasquez-s-remarkable-journey-in-tawag-ng-tanghalan-1816|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable collapsible autocollapse" style="width:90%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
colspan="7" style="background:#BFBFBF;" \| Performances on Tawag ng Tanghalan season 2
Round ! Theme ! Song ! Original artist ! Order ! Original air date ! Result
scope="row" \| Daily Elimination Round \| rowspan="8" {{n/a}} \| "Wildflower" \| Arnel Pineda \| 3 \| rowspan="2" \| Nov. 14, 2017 \|Won as daily winner
rowspan="7" \|Face-off Round \|"I (Who Have Nothing)" {{small\|(vs. Wilfredo Duga-duga)}} \|Shirley Bassey \|4 \| rowspan="4" \|Defending champion
"Careless Whisper" {{small\|(vs. Rosana Briones)}} \|George Michael \|5 \|Nov. 15, 2017
"It's Man's Man's World" {{small\|(vs. Mark Barican)}} \|Renée Geyer \|5 \|Nov. 16, 2017
"Feelin' Good" {{small\|(vs. Honey Roche)}} \|Michael Bublé \|5 \|Nov. 17, 2017
"Superstar" {{small\|(vs. Mary Joyce Belen)}} \|The Carpenters \|5 \|Nov. 18, 2017 \|Defending Champion (qualified for the Semifinals)
"Anak" {{small\|(vs. Mico Mauleon)}} \|Freddie Aguilar \|5 \|Nov. 20, 2017 \|Defending Champion
"When We Were Young" {{small\|(vs. Tuko Delos Reyes)}} \|Adele \|5 \|Nov. 21, 2017 \|Lost (advanced to the Semifinals)
rowspan="6" \|Live Semifinals \|"Audition Song" \|"I Who Have Nothing" \|Shirley Bassey \|2 \|Jan. 29, 2018 \|Top 4, safe
"Musical Influence" \|"Superstition" \|Stevie Wonder \| \|Jan. 30, 2018 \|Safe
"Fight Song" \|"Who You Are" \|Jessie J \| \|Jan. 31, 2018 \|Top 4, safe
"Song for their Families" \|"Just Once" \|James Ingram \|3 \|Feb. 1, 2018 \| rowspan="2" \|Safe
"Judges' Choice" \|"I Can't Make You Love Me" \|Bonnie Raitt \|6 \|Feb. 2, 2018
"Semifinal Song" \|"Perfect" \|Ed Sheeran \|2 \|Feb. 3, 2018 \|2nd highest score; Advanced to the Finals
rowspan="4" \|Live Finals {{small\|(Top 12)}} \| "Homecoming Song" \| "Skyfall" \| Adele \| 4 \|May 28, 2018 \| rowspan="3" \|Safe
"Fight Song" \|“Solitaire” \|The Carpenters \|4 \|May 30, 2018
"Fast and Groovy Song" \|“Treasure” \|Bruno Mars \|5 \|May 31, 2018
"Now or never song" \| “Let It Be” \| The Beatles \| 2 \| June 1, 2018 \|7th place, eliminated

class="wikitable collapsible autocollapse" style="width:90%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"

colspan="7" style="background:#BFBFBF;" | Performances on Tawag ng Tanghalan season 2

Round

! Theme

! Song

! Original artist

! Order

! Original air date

! Result

scope="row" | Daily Elimination Round

| rowspan="8" {{n/a}}

| "Wildflower"

| Arnel Pineda

| 3

| rowspan="2" | Nov. 14, 2017

|Won as daily winner

rowspan="7" |Face-off Round

|"I (Who Have Nothing)" {{small|(vs. Wilfredo Duga-duga)}}

|Shirley Bassey

| rowspan="4" |Defending champion

"Careless Whisper" {{small|(vs. Rosana Briones)}}

|George Michael

|Nov. 15, 2017

"It's Man's Man's World" {{small|(vs. Mark Barican)}}

|Renée Geyer

|Nov. 16, 2017

"Feelin' Good" {{small|(vs. Honey Roche)}}

|Michael Bublé

|Nov. 17, 2017

"Superstar" {{small|(vs. Mary Joyce Belen)}}

|The Carpenters

|Nov. 18, 2017

|Defending Champion (qualified for the Semifinals)

"Anak" {{small|(vs. Mico Mauleon)}}

|Freddie Aguilar

|Nov. 20, 2017

|Defending Champion

"When We Were Young" {{small|(vs. Tuko Delos Reyes)}}

|Adele

|Nov. 21, 2017

|Lost (advanced to the Semifinals)

rowspan="6" |Live Semifinals

|"Audition Song"

|"I Who Have Nothing"

|Shirley Bassey

|Jan. 29, 2018

|Top 4, safe

"Musical Influence"

|"Superstition"

|Stevie Wonder

|Jan. 30, 2018

|Safe

"Fight Song"

|"Who You Are"

|Jessie J

|Jan. 31, 2018

|Top 4, safe

"Song for their Families"

|"Just Once"

|James Ingram

|Feb. 1, 2018

| rowspan="2" |Safe

"Judges' Choice"

|"I Can't Make You Love Me"

|Bonnie Raitt

|Feb. 2, 2018

"Semifinal Song"

|"Perfect"

|Ed Sheeran

|Feb. 3, 2018

|2nd highest score; Advanced to the Finals

rowspan="4" |Live Finals
{{small|(Top 12)}}

| "Homecoming Song"

| "Skyfall"

| Adele

| 4

|May 28, 2018

| rowspan="3" |Safe

"Fight Song"

|“Solitaire”

|The Carpenters

|May 30, 2018

"Fast and Groovy Song"

|“Treasure”

|Bruno Mars

|May 31, 2018

"Now or never song"

| “Let It Be”

| The Beatles

| 2

| June 1, 2018

|7th place, eliminated

Following his stint, the program tapped Vasquez to become a vocal coach.{{Cite web |last=Mallorca |first=Hannah |date=2025-01-07 |title=Sofronio Vasquez tapped as vocal coach for 'TNT' contestants |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/592138/sofronio-vasquez-tapped-as-vocal-coach-for-tnt-contestants |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}

= 2024–present: ''The Voice'' =

class="wikitable collapsible autocollapse" style="width:90%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
colspan="7" style="background:#BFBFBF;"\| Performances on The Voice season 26
Round ! Theme ! Song ! Original artist ! Order ! Original air date ! Result
scope="row"\| Blind Auditions \| rowspan="5" {{n/a}} \| "I'm Goin' Down" \| Mary J. Blige \| 1.2 \| Sept. 23, 2024 \| Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg turned; joined Team Bublé
scope="row"\| Battles {{small\|(Top 56)}} \| "The Power of Love" {{small\|(vs. Aliyah Khaylyn)}} \| Celine Dion \| 10.4 \| Oct. 29, 2024 \| rowspan="3"\|Saved by Michael Bublé
scope="row"\| Knockouts {{small\|(Top 36)}} \| "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" {{small\|(vs. Kiara Vega and Jeremy Beloate)}} \| Dusty Springfield \| 14.5 \| Nov. 18, 2024
scope="row"\| Playoffs {{small\|(Top 20)}} \| "Crying" \| Roy Orbison \| 17.5 \| Nov. 26, 2024
scope="row"\| Live Semi-finals {{small\|(Top 8)}} \| "If I Can Dream" \| Elvis Presley \| 18.12 \| Dec. 2, 2024 \| Saved by Public
rowspan=3\| Live Finale {{small\|(Final 5)}} \| "Uptempo Song" \| "Unstoppable" \| Sia \| 20.5 \| rowspan="2"\| Dec. 9, 2024 ! rowspan=3 style="background:gold;"\|Winner
"Ballad" \| "A Million Dreams" \| The Greatest Showman cast \| 20.8
"Duet with Coach" \| "Who's Lovin' You" {{small\|(Duet with Michael Bublé)}} \| Jackson 5 \| 22.15 \| Dec. 10, 2024

class="wikitable collapsible autocollapse" style="width:90%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"

colspan="7" style="background:#BFBFBF;"| Performances on The Voice season 26

Round

! Theme

! Song

! Original artist

! Order

! Original air date

! Result

scope="row"| Blind Auditions

| rowspan="5" {{n/a}}

| "I'm Goin' Down"

| Mary J. Blige

| 1.2

| Sept. 23, 2024

| Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg turned; joined Team Bublé

scope="row"| Battles
{{small|(Top 56)}}

| "The Power of Love" {{small|(vs. Aliyah Khaylyn)}}

| Celine Dion

| 10.4

| Oct. 29, 2024

| rowspan="3"|Saved by Michael Bublé

scope="row"| Knockouts
{{small|(Top 36)}}

| "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" {{small|(vs. Kiara Vega and Jeremy Beloate)}}

| Dusty Springfield

| 14.5

| Nov. 18, 2024

scope="row"| Playoffs
{{small|(Top 20)}}

| "Crying"

| Roy Orbison

| 17.5

| Nov. 26, 2024

scope="row"| Live Semi-finals
{{small|(Top 8)}}

| "If I Can Dream"

| Elvis Presley

| 18.12

| Dec. 2, 2024

| Saved by Public

rowspan=3| Live Finale
{{small|(Final 5)}}

| "Uptempo Song"

| "Unstoppable"

| Sia

| 20.5

| rowspan="2"| Dec. 9, 2024

! rowspan=3 style="background:gold;"|Winner

"Ballad"

| "A Million Dreams"

| The Greatest Showman cast

| 20.8

"Duet with Coach"

| "Who's Lovin' You" {{small|(Duet with Michael Bublé)}}

| Jackson 5

| 22.15

| Dec. 10, 2024

File:Sofronio Vasquez at Malacañang-01082025-05.jpg and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos meet with Sofronio Vasquez in Malacañang on January 8, 2025]]

In 2024, Vasquez auditioned for the 26th season of The Voice USA. All four coaches (Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg) expressed interest in working with him. Vasquez ultimately chose to be a part of Team Bublé. He progressed to the live finale held on December 10, 2024, where he won, becoming the first male Asian winner in the show's run, as well as the first Filipino to win.{{Cite web |last=Cabato |first=Luisa |date=2025-01-08 |title=Sofronio Vasquez sings Bongbong Marcos' favorites during courtesy call |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/592338/sofronio-vasquez-courtesy-call-to-pbbm |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Afinidad-Bernardo |first=Deni Rose M. |date=December 11, 2024 |title=Filipino singer Sofronio Vasquez wins 'The Voice USA' |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2024/12/11/2406424/filipino-singer-sofronio-vasquez-wins-the-voice-usa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213102547/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2024/12/11/2406424/filipino-singer-sofronio-vasquez-wins-the-voice-usa |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |access-date=December 11, 2024 |website=Philstar}}{{cite news |last=Robledo |first=Anthony |date=December 10, 2024 |title='The Voice' Season 26 finale: Coach Michael Bublé scores victory with Sofronio Vasquez |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/12/10/the-voice-season-26-winner-sofronio-vasquez/76902132007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211134855/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/12/10/the-voice-season-26-winner-sofronio-vasquez/76902132007/ |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |access-date=December 11, 2024 |website=USA Today}} Vasquez won US$100,000 and a recording contract with Universal Music Group.{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Gavin |title=Filipino singer Sofronio Vasquez makes history as first Asian to win 'The Voice' |url=https://asianews.network/filipino-singer-sofronio-vasquez-makes-history-as-first-asian-to-win-the-voice/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213074618/https://asianews.network/filipino-singer-sofronio-vasquez-makes-history-as-first-asian-to-win-the-voice/ |archive-date=2024-12-13 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=asianews.network |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last=Deveza |first=Reyma |date=December 11, 2024 |title=Filipino singer Sofronio Vasquez wins 'The Voice USA' |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2024/12/11/filipino-singer-sofronio-vasquez-wins-the-voice-usa-1221 |website=ABS-CBN}}

Upon his return to the Philippines, Vasquez paid a courtesy call to the Malacañang Palace on January 8, 2025, performing for Philippine president Bongbong Marcos and first lady Liza Araneta Marcos.{{Cite news |last=Helen |first=Flores |date=2025-01-09 |title=Vasquez of 'The Voice' brings Marcos Jr., Liza to tears |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/01/09/2412920/vasquez-the-voice-brings-marcos-jr-liza-tears |work=The Philippine Star}}{{Cite web |last=Esguerra |first=Darryl John |date=2025-01-08 |title=Marcos honors 'The Voice US' winner Sofronio Vasquez in Malacañang |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241293 |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Philippine News Agency |language=en}} Vasquez held his debut solo concert on January 18, at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, in conjunction with the Sinulog Festival.{{Cite web |last=Evangelista |first=Jessica Ann |date=2025-01-05 |title=Sofronio Vasquez returns to PH after historic 'The Voice USA' win |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/591937/sofronio-vasquez-returns-to-ph-after-historic-the-voice-usa-win |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en |archive-date=2025-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106095307/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/591937/sofronio-vasquez-returns-to-ph-after-historic-the-voice-usa-win |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Almo |first=Nherz |date=2024-12-28 |title=Sofronio Vasquez annoounces first concert in Cebu in January 2025 |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/118701/sofronio-vasquez-annoounces-first-concert-in-cebu-in-january-2025/story |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=GMA News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Purnell |first=Kristofer |date=2025-01-11 |title=Sofronio Vasquez to guest in 'ASAP' ahead of Cebu debut solo concert |url=https://www.philstar.com/music/2025/01/11/2413460/sofronio-vasquez-guest-asap-ahead-cebu-debut-solo-concert |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Philstar.com}} On January 20, Senator Joel Villanueva, along with the consolidated resolutions from Senator Imee Marcos and Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, unanimously adopted Senate Resolution No. 1259 in honor of Vasquez.{{Cite web |title=Press Release - PRIB: Senate hails Voice USA winner Sofronio Vazquez |url=https://web.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2025/0120_prib3.asp |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=web.senate.gov.ph}}

He is represented by talent agency Star Magic.{{cite web |last1=Vasquez |first1=Sofronio |title=Why 'The Voice USA' champ signed up with Star Magic |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/03/06/entertainment-lifestyle/show-times/why-the-voice-usa-champ-signed-up-with-star-magic/2067774 |publisher=The Manila Times |access-date=2025-03-18 |date=2025-03-06}}