Sofronio Vasquez | |
|---|---|
.jpg "Man wearing a Barong Tagalog") Vasquez performing in Malacañang, January 2025 | |
| Born | Sofronio Parojinog Vasquez III November 8, 1992 Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental, Philippines |
| Agent |
|
| Relatives | Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. (uncle) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Label | Universal Music Group |
| Website | sofroniovasquez |
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. He is the first Filipino to win the competition, as well as its first male Asian winner.
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
editVasquez was born in Misamis Occidental, Philippines, to Aida Parojinog, a member of a politically active family in Ozamiz, and Oniol Vasquez.[1][2] He cites his father–whom he also regarded as his first coach–as being the impetus for his affinity for singing.[3]
Vasquez studied dentistry and was a dental hygienist.[4] 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.[2][5][1] In 2022, Vasquez moved to Utica, New York, where he worked as a dental assistant to provide for his family.[6]
Career
edit2017–2019: Tawag ng Tanghalan
editIn 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.[7][8]
| Performances on Tawag ng Tanghalan season 2 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Theme | Song | Original artist | Order | Original air date | Result |
| Daily Elimination Round | N/a | "Wildflower" | Arnel Pineda | 3 | November 14, 2017 | Won as daily winner |
| Face-off Round | "I (Who Have Nothing)" (vs. Wilfredo Duga-duga) | Shirley Bassey | 4 | Defending champion | ||
| "Careless Whisper" (vs. Rosana Briones) | George Michael | 5 | November 15, 2017 | |||
| "It's Man's Man's World" (vs. Mark Barican) | Renée Geyer | 5 | November 16, 2017 | |||
| "Feelin' Good" (vs. Honey Roche) | Michael Bublé | 5 | November 17, 2017 | |||
| "Superstar" (vs. Mary Joyce Belen) | The Carpenters | 5 | November 18, 2017 | Defending Champion (qualified for the Semifinals) | ||
| "Anak" (vs. Mico Mauleon) | Freddie Aguilar | 5 | November 20, 2017 | Defending Champion | ||
| "When We Were Young" (vs. Tuko Delos Reyes) | Adele | 5 | November 21, 2017 | Lost (advanced to the Semifinals) | ||
| Live Semifinals | "Audition Song" | "I Who Have Nothing" | Shirley Bassey | 2 | January 29, 2018 | Top 4, safe |
| "Musical Influence" | "Superstition" | Stevie Wonder | January 30, 2018 | Safe | ||
| "Fight Song" | "Who You Are" | Jessie J | January 31, 2018 | Top 4, safe | ||
| "Song for their Families" | "Just Once" | James Ingram | 3 | February 1, 2018 | Safe | |
| "Judges' Choice" | "I Can't Make You Love Me" | Bonnie Raitt | 6 | February 2, 2018 | ||
| "Semifinal Song" | "Perfect" | Ed Sheeran | 2 | February 3, 2018 | 2nd highest score; Advanced to the Finals | |
| Live Finals (Top 12) |
"Homecoming Song" | "Skyfall" | Adele | 4 | May 28, 2018 | 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 | |
After his stint on the show, the program tapped Vasquez to become a vocal coach.[9]
2024–present: The Voice
edit| Performances on The Voice season 26 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Theme | Song | Original artist | Order | Original air date | Result |
| Blind Auditions | N/a | "I'm Goin' Down" | Mary J. Blige | 1.2 | September 23, 2024 | Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg turned; joined Team Bublé |
| Battles (Top 56) |
"The Power of Love" (vs. Aliyah Khaylyn) | Celine Dion | 10.4 | October 29, 2024 | Saved by Michael Bublé | |
| Knockouts (Top 36) |
"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (vs. Kiara Vega and Jeremy Beloate) | Dusty Springfield | 14.5 | November 18, 2024 | ||
| Playoffs (Top 20) |
"Crying" | Roy Orbison | 17.5 | November 26, 2024 | ||
| Live Semi-finals (Top 8) |
"If I Can Dream" | Elvis Presley | 18.12 | December 2, 2024 | Saved by Public | |
| Live Finale (Final 5) |
"Uptempo Song" | "Unstoppable" | Sia | 20.5 | December 9, 2024 | Winner |
| "Ballad" | "A Million Dreams" | The Greatest Showman cast | 20.8 | |||
| "Duet with Coach" | "Who's Lovin' You" (Duet with Michael Bublé) | Jackson 5 | 22.15 | December 10, 2024 | ||
In 2024, Vasquez auditioned for the 26th season of The Voice USA.[7] 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.[10][11][12] Vasquez won US$100,000 and a recording contract with Universal Music Group.[13][14]
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.[15][16] 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.[17][18][19] 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.[20]
In March 2025, Vasquez signed with Star Magic for his activities in the Philippines.[21] He sang the national anthem, "Lupang Hinirang, at the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Bongbong Marcos on July 28.[22]
In December 16, 2025, Vasquez returned for season 28 of The Voice finale for a new single "Superman".
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Tawag ng Tanghalan season 1 | Contestant |
| 2017 | Tawag ng Tanghalan season 2 | Contestant / Finalist |
| 2019 | Tawag ng Tanghalan: All-Star Grand Resbak season 1 | Contestant / Third Placer |
| 2024 | The Voice (American TV series) season 26 | Contestant / Winner |
| 2026 | Your Face Sounds Familiar (season 4) | Round 11 Guest Performer as Elvis Presley |
| Rainbow Rumble | Contestant |
References
edit- ^ a b Ciar, Troy R. (2025-01-08). "Ciar: Ang kaagi ni Sofronio isip kontesero". SunStar Publishing Inc. (in Cebuano). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ a b "Who is Sofronio Vasquez, the first Asian winner of 'The Voice USA?'". Rappler. December 11, 2024. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Jasckson, Matthew (December 9, 2024). "Everything to Know About Sofronio Vasquez on The Voice Season 26". NBC. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Espina-Varona, Inday (December 11, 2024). "What Sofronio Vasquez did right in 'The Voice' finale". rappler.com. Rappler. Archived from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Bardinas, Mary Ann (2025-01-08). "Former job, favorite food, and other things to know about Sofronio Vasquez". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose M. (December 11, 2024). "Asians rally behind Filipino Sofronio Vasquez to become 'The Voice' first Asian winner". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ a b Martinez, Gavin (September 22, 2024). "'Tawag ng Tanghalan' finalist shines on 'The Voice'". USA Inquirer.
- ^ Bardinas, Mary Ann (December 11, 2024). "A look back on Sofronio Vasquez's remarkable journey in Tawag ng Tanghalan". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on December 14, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Mallorca, Hannah (2025-01-07). "Sofronio Vasquez tapped as vocal coach for 'TNT' contestants". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ Cabato, Luisa (2025-01-08). "Sofronio Vasquez sings Bongbong Marcos' favorites during courtesy call". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose M. (December 11, 2024). "Filipino singer Sofronio Vasquez wins 'The Voice USA'". Philstar. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Robledo, Anthony (December 10, 2024). "'The Voice' Season 26 finale: Coach Michael Bublé scores victory with Sofronio Vasquez". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Martinez, Gavin. "Filipino singer Sofronio Vasquez makes history as first Asian to win 'The Voice'". asianews.network. Archived from the original on 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Deveza, Reyma (December 11, 2024). "Filipino singer Sofronio Vasquez wins 'The Voice USA'". ABS-CBN.
- ^ Helen, Flores (2025-01-09). "Vasquez of 'The Voice' brings Marcos Jr., Liza to tears". The Philippine Star.
- ^ Esguerra, Darryl John (2025-01-08). "Marcos honors 'The Voice US' winner Sofronio Vasquez in Malacañang". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (2025-01-05). "Sofronio Vasquez returns to PH after historic 'The Voice USA' win". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ Almo, Nherz (2024-12-28). "Sofronio Vasquez annoounces [sic] first concert in Cebu in January 2025". GMA News. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ Purnell, Kristofer (2025-01-11). "Sofronio Vasquez to guest in 'ASAP' ahead of Cebu debut solo concert". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ "Press Release - PRIB: Senate hails Voice USA winner Sofronio Vazquez". web.senate.gov.ph. Retrieved 2025-01-29.
- ^ Mauricio-Arriola, Tessa (2025-03-06). "Why 'The Voice USA' champ signed up with Star Magic". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ "WATCH: Sofronio Vasquez sings Philippine national anthem at Marcos Jr.'s 4th SONA". Rappler. July 28, 2025. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
