Sofronio Vasquez thanks Michael Bublé, Martin Nievera for support ahead of concert

Philippines’ pride Sofronio Vasquez expressed his gratitude to fellow artists, including international music star Michael Bublé and veteran singer Martin Nievera, for the support they have extended to him as he prepares for his first solo concert.

Vasquez is staging an intimate show, called “Sofronio Vasquez: Live in Concert,” on Nov. 7 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati City, with special guests Ogie Alcasid, Bituin Escalante, Jonah, Jed Madela, and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.

READ: Sofronio Vasquez lends voice to Asean song ‘Seas Unbroken’

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At a press conference, Vasquez said that there had been numerous “Nos” before the “Yeses” came after he got his big break as “The Voice USA” Season 26 champion. Now, he said it feels refreshing to be able to have a say about how his career is unfolding, with the support of those who have been in the music industry far longer than he has.

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“My heart is always full when I have the time to look back. Hindi mo alam talaga kung kelan ibibigay sayo e. I always value yung mga times when I was faced with those ‘Nos’ because now having ‘Yeses’ sometimes parang bonus nalang. Sana mabuksan nila yung heart ko para makita nila kung gaano ako ka thankful,” he told INQUIRER Entertainment.

“Overwhelmed lang ako na dati yung feeling ko lang na pag nagkaroon ka ng presscon, it feels like you made it. So ngayon, nararamdaman na parang hmmm, meron [na akong] chance,” he said.

One of the celebrities that he is most grateful for was his “The Voice” coach, Canadian singer Michael Buble, with whom he still maintains a close relationship up to this time.

Buble mentored Vasquez during the competition in 2024, but they remained close even after that, always calling the Filipino singing sensation and allowing him to get a preview of his latest musical endeavors or inviting him to guest in his shows.

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Vasquez said that up to now, he still could not believe that he would strike up a friendship with a global star such as Buble that he would confide to him even about family matters.

“I have the perfect relationship with him (Buble)…  Up to now, hindi pa rin sya sanay na tinatawag ko siyang sir, pero alam naman nya na it means respeto sa kanya. Nirereplyan nya ako ng, ‘How are you, sir?’” he said.

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For his own concert, Vasquez said that Buble helped him curate his setlist, calling him frequently to get updates.

On the homefront, Vasquez said he is equally grateful to the Filipino artists who did offered to help him mount this concert.

“[It was not] a hard moment for me,” he told reporters. “I love being part of this community, tulungan.”

For one, he said that when he mentioned his concert to Nievera, the latter offered to draft his script since he could not personally join him as guest as he would be abroad then.

Vasquez said he also did not have a hard time asking for help from singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, as well as from Cayabyab, who offered to do his accompaniment for the show.

The 33-year-old native of Misamis Occidental also credits his humble beginnings for his determination to pursue this journey, recalling the time when he would help his mother make rice cakes to sell for their daily needs. One glaring memory that comes to his mind, he said, was during the pandemic when they had to rely for food aid from the government and other people, because they had no money to buy their own food.

The tides turned when he went to the United States where he joined “The Voice” season 26 in 2024 that eventually declared him the winner. He earned the distinction of being the first Filipino and first male Asian champion of the entire competition.

Now, Vasquez is enjoying the fruits of his labor. He was able to amply provide for his family, and even buy his own car.

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Aside from his Nov. 7 concert, he will be part of Filipino artists who will join a musical initiative celebrating the Asean’s shared identity and unity, as he unveiled “Seas Unbroken,” a newly composed anthem for regional solidarity. The initiative will happen this November in time for the Philippines chairship of the Asean.