Sofronio Vasquez. Vasquez/Facebook
MANILA — Filipino singer Sofronio Vasquez is back in the Philippines after winning “The Voice US” Season 26 last month.
Vasquez arrived Sunday morning and was warmly welcomed by his mother Aida Vasquez and a few more companions.
Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Vasquez said he has been looking forward to this day, after winning the competition.
“Sa eroplano pa lang gusto ko nang tumalon eh. Very excited to be with the people who root for me. I get to be back and just as excited kung ano ang mangyayari,” he said.
He may have missed spending the holidays in the Philippines with his family, but now he has two full weeks to bond and reunite with his family.
Aside from family time, a number of guestings and live performances have been lined up for him, including a show in Cebu for the Sinulog festival.
“I needed to finish all the press tours, commitments and initial conversations with the record label and hopefully after nito, roll na, work work work na ulit,” he said.
“Fourteen to fifteen days, technically two weeks. Meron akong event sa Cebu for the Sinulog, first big event, first live event after the competition so sobrang excited ako,” he added.
The Sinulog event is quite a big deal, he said, “Big deal talaga kaya kinakabahan ako. Sabi ko nga kay mama, parang nanginginig ako. Yung excitement ko, gusto kong iparamdam sa kanila how we won and parang dagdag na yung kaba, tama ba yung ineexpect nila na ako.”
But most of all, he is looking forward to his homecoming in “It’s Showtime” on Monday, January 6.
“As promised, I will be in my home.”
Aside from “It’s Showtime,” Vasquez is also looking forward to performing with the OPM icons in “ASAP.”
PROJECTS AFTER THE VOICE
Vasquez admitted he is still adjusting to his newfound fame after “The Voice.”
As far as initial plans or projects lined up for him after winning “The Voice,” he said, “Part of the win is the record label under Republic Records and Universal Music Group. I got a call from Michael Buble. Gusto talaga niya na magkaroon (kami) ng collaboration.”
Vasquez revealed that several talent management agencies are courting him to handle his representation in the Philippines and the Asian region.
“I got six management proposals. So NBC is trying to put out an Asian-Philippines representation para doon sa mga potential shows dito, hopefully madevelop na siya para makapagsimula na kasi excited na rin ako.”
CELEBRITY COLLABS
Aside from recording, there are also initial talks and inquiries on a Buble-Sofronio show or tour in the future. “He’s very excited,” Vasquez said.
“Last week, I got a call from Michael Buble. Nag-greet siya ng ‘Happy New Year’. Sabi niya, kapag dumating ako sa Philippines, ‘call me’.”
Vasquez also shared how Snoop Dogg was still serious about gifting his mom a plane ticket to go to the US.
“Snoop Dogg naman, his manager called me and tinatanong yung development kay Mama (regarding the plane ticket gift). His manager also called me kasi may mga new inquiries sa mga live shows, mga guestings with celebrities di ko alam kung sino, sabi ko pagbalik ko pwede naman.”
As for Gwen Stefani and Reba McEntire, “Sina Gwen at Reba, magkasama pa rin kami sa group chat. Si Reba, alam ko nagte-taping at si Gwen planning on a tour.”
Vasquez candidly admitted that he still can’t believe he’s exchanging messages with these global music superstars. But more than the hi’s and hello’s, Vasquez said that these coaches wanted to hear updates on life after The Voice.
“Connected naman always, nakakagulat lang kasi nasa group chat kami and hanggang like ka nalang, kasi nahihiya ako. Gustong-gusto nila yung fact na ina-update mo sila. They’re curious. Kasi after the show, hindi lang sila hanggang after the show.”
