Sofronio Vasquez III met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after singing the national anthem at the Chief Executive's fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
"Kinausap pa nga ako ni President. Sabi niya, 'Kinakabahan ka pa ba?' Sabi ko, 'Naku President, kung alam niyo lang, muntik na kong hindi makalunok sa kaba!'" Sofronio shared, noting that he also met with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.
Sofronio said singing the national anthem was a beautfiul experience.
"Yung kaba ko sa competition, iba sa kaba ko rito. Iba 'yong challenge kasi lahat ng tao, alam 'yong kanta. So 'pag nagkamali ka, forever na 'yon," he said.
"'Yong idea na mag-a cappella was from Malacañang. I actually requested it to be with accompaniment, but they wanted it to be more simple, more patriotic, that's why they decided it to be a cappella," he added.
Sofronio admitted his performance was a challenge.
"I even spoke with [Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary] Franz [Imperial]. Sabi nila mukhang mas mataas daw 'yong ginawa ko (tono) kesa sa kahapon nating rehearsal, eh ako naman excited lang ako sa pagkanta."
Sofronio won the 26th season of "The Voice" in the United States, competing under coach Michael Bublé.
Before joining "The Voice," Sofronio was a finalist in the second season of "Tawag ng Tanghalan" in 2017 and returned for its all-star edition in 2019, where he placed third.