Mindanao native Sofronio Vasquez, the first Filipino and Asian to win “The Voice USA,” couldn’t help but get emotional as he recalled the time he was trying his hand at singing in Manila while his father was battling kidney disease.

During his guest appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Thursday, Sofronio recalled that his father, who passed away in 2018, often advised him to “sing your heart out.”

“When I was competing in the competition in Manila, he was already in the final stages of his battle with kidney failure. He just told me that whether… ah this is hard,” said Sofronio, who stopped speaking for a moment and became emotional.

“If he’s gone, ‘Just know that I’ll be there. Anywhere.’ And I felt that,” Sofronio continued.

After this, Sofronio passionately sang a part of Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father”, which he dedicated to his mother.

From the Philippines, Sofronio migrated to America to continue pursuing his dream.

He thanked his father for teaching him a love of music, and even calls him his first singing coach.

Although he had become a dentist, Sofronio returned to singing as a tribute to his father after his passing.

In the finals of season 26 of “The Voice USA,” Sofronio captivated the audience with his rendition of “Unstoppable” by Sia and “A Million Dreams” from “The Greatest Showman.”

Although Michael Bublé was his coach, Sofronio admitted that another coach came to his mind first. Find out who in this Fast Talk with Boy Abunda video.