Sofronio Vasquez proud of ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ roots, vows to visit ‘Showtime’

Sofronio Vasquez. Image: Instagram/@sofroniovasquez

Sofronio Vasquez virtually graced “It’s Showtime,” where he competed as a “Tawag ng Tanghalan” contestant years prior, expressing his gratitude to the show for believing in him even before his “The Voice” United States victory.

Vasquez talked to the noontime show hosts via video call on Thursday, Dec. 12, speaking about how it felt to be the first Asian champion of the international singing competition.

“Napaka-emotional po ng naging panalo ko kagabi. Actually, ngayon po nanginginig ako habang shine-share sa inyo kasi parang pangarap ko lang [ito] dati,” he said.

(I was very emotional when I won last night. Actually, I am still shaking now while sharing this to you because this was just a dream of mine.)

“Proud po ako na nagsimula ako sa ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan,’ kasi ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ at ‘It’s Showtime’ ang unang nagtiwala sa akin,” he stated. (I am proud that I started in “Tawag ng Tanghalan” because this and “It’s Showtime” were the first ones to believe in me.)

Vasquez then recalled his “The Voice” blind auditions, revealing that he was initially meant to represent Utica, New York, the city where he currently resides.

“Pero mapalad po ako dahil ‘yung mga producers ng mismong show, sila ‘yung nag-suggest na mas maganda ko sigurong i-represent ‘yung Philippines. Kasi hindi pa sila nagkaroon talaga ng Filipino-blooded na full, born and raised,” he said.

(But I was fortunate because the producers themselves suggested that I represent the Philippines, because they had yet to have a full-blooded Filipino joining the competition.)

“Masaya po ako na along the way, talagang sincere at totoong pagmamahal ‘yung galing kay Michael Bublé para sa Pilipinas,” he continued, referring to his coach.

(I am happy that along the way, Michael Bublé showed a sincere and genuine love for the Philippines.)

Vasquez also said that the Canadian crooner even shared to him about the latter’s friendship with Martin Nievera, and about an unnamed local celebrity whom Bublé apparently dated in the past.

Sharing his advice to those who want to pursue a career in music, Vasquez continued, “Kahit ilang beses kang ma-reject, hindi talaga siya nagpapatunay na wala ka nang chance.”

(Even if you face rejection several times, it does not mean that you no longer have a chance.)

Vasquez said there is no exact date yet for his return to the Philippines, but he underscored, “Nag-promise po ako kay Michael Bublé na kapag umuwi po ako, talagang ‘Showtime’ ‘yung unang bibisitahin ko.”

(I promised Michael Bublé that when I return to the Philippines, “It’s Showtime” is the first show I will visit.)

Vasquez first joined “Tawag ng Tanghalan” in 2016 but fell short of qualifying to be a finalist. He then competed again in 2017 and reached the semifinals.

For the third time, Vasquez joined the competition in 2019 as part of the “TNT All-Star Grand Resbak” contestants, and finished as a grand finalist.