After months of intense competition, Sofronio Vasquez was crowned the winner of The Voice Season 26 on Tuesday night, leaving fans and judges in awe. The pop-R&B singer, a four-chair-turner, became known for his impressive performances, including his cover of Rose Royce’s “I’m Goin’ Down.” His journey continued with memorable duets and solo acts, earning him praise from his coach, Michael Bublé.

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One of the standout moments in Sofronio’s journey came when he took on Roy Orbison’s classic “Crying,” a song he had never heard before. “At first, singing Roy Orbison’s ‘Crying’ was a hesitation because I really didn’t hear the song ever once before,” Sofronio shared. “But having it online and performing it on stage with Michael’s trust, it became a beautiful experience. Even if you think a song isn’t as big or powerful, as long as you put your heart into it, it’s going to shine.”

Watch his performance below.

Sofronio’s rendition of “Crying” went beyond what Bublé expected, impressing everyone with his raw emotion and authenticity. “The result was beyond expected,” Sofronio reflected. “It really represented me on the show.”

As the first male winner of Asian descent on The Voice, Sofronio’s victory holds special meaning. “It means the world to me,” he said. “In the Philippines, to be a winner and competing at an international level, it’s such a powerful message. It shows how ambitious we are as Filipinos — we want to be seen and heard in a good way. This is for everyone’s dream. Even the biggest, most unimaginable dreams can come true when you just do it.”

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Sofronio also reflected on the support from his coach, Michael Bublé. “He’s just wonderful. He always checks on everyone on his team,” Sofronio said. “He makes sure we are at peace, even when we’re unsure. He’s confident and reminds us, ‘Relax, you got this.’ That really helped me.”

Looking ahead, Sofronio is excited about what’s to come. “I’m just happy to be part of this family,” he said about his fellow contestants. “We’re all excited to move forward and do tours together.”

When asked what advice he would give to future The Voice contestants, Sofronio shared his wisdom: “Reflect on yourselves. If you have a dream, remember that the road to it might be longer and bumpier than you think. But those bumps don’t stop you. They just reset you. Nothing worth doing is easy, so go for it and keep trying.”