Sofronio Vasquez’s life story in the works, bares ‘Miss Saigon’ London offer. Image: Nice Print Photography via Instagram/@starmagicphils

Sofronio Vasquez during his contract signing with Star Magic. Image: Nice Print Photography via Instagram/@starmagicphils

There is no stopping Sofronio Vasquez from soaring to new career highs since his “The Voice USA” season 26 victory.

Vasquez recently announced that his life story is currently in the works, along with an offer to be part of the London staging of “Miss Saigon” during his contract signing with ABS-CBN’s Star Magic on Wednesday, February 26.

Details on the lead star, storyline, and release date are yet to be revealed, however.

“Alam mo, nagkaroon na kami ng meeting, briefing, storytelling, and interview, tinatanong ako kung excited to act [in my life story], kaso nacha-challenge ako,” Vasquez said when asked if he will be part of the special.

“Gusto ko na lang kumanta. Kung balak nila akong ipasok, gusto kong mag-‘Batang Quiapo’ na lang. Mafia role ko. Wag ang iyak-iyak. Hindi ko kaya. But everything now is a possibility,” he continued, noting that he wants Elijah Canlas to portray himself.

(We already had a meeting, briefing, storytelling, and interview, and I was asked if I’m excited to act in my life story but I’m challenged to do it. I just want to sing. But if they have plans for me to go into acting, I just want to be part of “Batang Quiapo.” I want to take on a mafia role, but not something emotional. I can’t do it. But everything now is a possibility.)

 

When Vasquez was asked if he has something yet to accomplish on his bucket list, he revealed that he was offered the role of Thuy in the UK staging of “Miss Saigon.” Thuy is the cousin and betrothed of the musical’s lead character Kim.

“I am so excited to share [with] everyone that I was offered [a role] in ‘Miss Saigon’ UK, but I have to figure it out kasi medyo masikip ang dates,” he said. “May nagca-cast sa’kin and nagbigay na sila ng dates, so technically, kakanta na lang ako and I’ll be in London for four weeks. Sana magawan ng paraan. Pero kung hindi… I won’t close any doors.”

(I am so excited to share with everyone that I was offered a role in “Miss Saigon” UK, but I have to figure it out because the dates are packed. Someone is casting me and dates were already given, so technically, I have to just sing and I’ll be in London for four weeks. I hope we will find a way through it. But if not, I won’t close any doors.)

Bridge between PH and the US

With his “The Voice USA” season 26 win, Vasquez said he was “given the opportunity” to cross the bridge between the Philippines and the US in terms of representation in the entertainment industry.

“When we talk about bridge, we are talking about how to cross so now I am given the opportunity and I am humbly recognized as ‘The Voice USA’ season 26 winner,” he said when asked by INQUIRER.net on how his career would bridge the gap between both countries. “I think na-cross or there is already a bridge. I think ang kailangan kong gawin (what I need to do now) is how to sustain it, and how to broaden the bridge.”

 

The singer hoped that his championship would open more opportunities for Filipino singers to be recognized internationally. “The challenge is paano [mapalapad] ang tulay para hindi lang ako ang mag-adjust, ‘yung hindi [lang kababayan ko ang] mag-adjust [kasi] mas maraming mabibigyan na pagkakataon ang ating local singers.”

“Malay mo sa ‘The Voice’ because you cannot join ‘The Voice’ without the legal papers in the US,” he continued. “Malay mo, magkaroon sila ng bagong [opportunity] na pwedeng tanggalan ang legal papers and pwede nilang i-sponsor. That’s already a big win for us. Again, it’s all a possibility and the culture itself is very challenging.”

(The challenge is how I can widen the bridge where I would not be the only one adjusting, how my fellow Filipinos won’t be the one adjusting, because it would open more doors for local singers. Perhaps, in “The Voice” because you cannot join without the legal papers. Perhaps, there would be an opportunity for this requirement will be removed and they can sponsor the contestants. That’s already a big win for us. Again, it’s all a possibility and the culture itself is very challenging.)

 

Vasquez also shared that he adjusts his performance depending on the audience: “When we talk about the adjustment of performing, it’s also a challenge. In terms of [adjusting my performances], songs in the Philippines are heartfelt and emotional. While abroad, I wanted to touch artistically in the Western side, so may chance na magkaroon ako ng country or EDM song,” he said. “It’s not hard, but it’s challenging. Feeling ko with the help of people that’s been helping me, I think magiging possible.”

(When we talk about the adjustment of performing, it’s also a challenge. In terms of adjusting my performances, songs in the Philippines are usually heartfelt and emotional. While abroad, I wanted to touch on the Western side artistically so there is a chance I will have a country or EDM song. It is not hard but it’s challenging. I think it is possible to do it with the help of people that’s been helping me.)

Through the tutelage of Michael Bublé throughout his “The Voice USA” stint, Vasquez is the first Filipino and first Asian winner of the famed singing competition.