Sofronio Vasquez, the first Filipino to win The Voice US, recently shared his inspiring journey from being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) to achieving international success.
Before his victory on the hit reality singing competition, Sofronio worked as a cruise ship singer after competing in Tawag ng Tanghalan. However, his stint onboard was far from easy. “I worked one contract lang and hindi ko na natuloy kasi hindi rin madali,” he revealed in an PUSH Bets interview.
The singer recalled the rigorous schedule of performing six days a week, adapting to new musical genres each day. “Dito sa Philippines ‘yung kantahan ko was ballad. There I had to adapt… Monday for rock songs, Tuesday for Motown,” he said. Despite his passion for music, Sofronio admitted to feeling physically and emotionally drained.
Adapting to diverse cultures was another challenge he faced. “Iba ‘yung humor ng ibang lahi so you have to adapt… If you sing on stage, you are not just a singer; you perform and entertain them,” he explained.
Amid the difficulties, he found solace in the camaraderie among his fellow Filipino workers. “Kahit malayo ka sa pamilya, ‘yung family mo [‘yung] katrabaho mo, especially Filipinos,” Sofronio shared.
When the pandemic disrupted live performances, Sofronio turned to online selling to make ends meet. He sold biko and reached out to celebrities for support. “Nagbenta din ako ng biko. Ako mismo gumagawa,” he said.
Eventually, Sofronio moved to the US to explore a dental career but found himself auditioning for The Voice US, which changed his life. Winning the competition earned him $100,000 (₱5.9 million) and a recording deal with Republic Records.
With his winnings, Sofronio plans to invest in his music. “Kasi music talaga eh… gagamitin ko talaga ‘yun,” he told Karen Davila.
Now positioned to penetrate the mainstream US music scene, Sofronio’s journey is a testament to perseverance and the resilience of Filipino talent.
