SOFRONIO VASQUEZ SET TO CELEBRATE 'THE VOICE US' VICTORY IN PHL

IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED, Sofronio Vasquez is returning to the Philippines this January 2025 for a short but sweet homecoming before diving back to work as "The Voice US" Season 26 champ.

- NATHALIE TOMADA

After his inspiring journey as the first Asian and Filipino to win the globally popular singing search —an early Christmas gift to our music-loving nation, if we may add—the 32-year-old singer is excited to personally celebrate his victory with family, friends and supporters here.

"I got a slight confirmation that I will come home on Jan. 5," Sofronio teased during Episode 0 of "Meet the Press," a collab podcast powered by The Pod Network featuring seasoned talent manager Noel Ferrer (also of Pep), Marinel Cruz (Inquirer), Bobby Requintina (Manila Bulletin) and yours truly for The STAR.

"Sana magkaroon ng gathering for press or kung ano man. Gusto ko lang personally magpasalamat because, in one way or another, lahat ng interviews na nagawa ko for the past two months leading to the finale talagang nag-reach out sa lahat ng Filipino," he said.

He's also looking forward to meeting President Bongbong Marcos as he received word for a possible courtesy call in Malacañan. "Hopefully, matuloy because yeah, I got the communication na sana... I would just be grateful kung matuloy kasi paano mo ba i-ko-culminate yung panalo mo? Eh 'di ba yung ma-meet yung president kasi yung napakalaking honor nun na i-recognize ka ng presidente."