Quest's journey with music

MANILA, Philippines - Hearing the name Quest, one would immediately think that it’s a band’s name, when actually it’s not.

Quest is Jose Villanueva III’s artist name, which he said means a “journey” to inspire people and to encourage them to live with positivity.

That is why he’s thankful with Zed for helping him out in spreading his songs of positivity and encouragement to the people, especially the youth, who needs it the most.

He actually signed a contract with Zed, in partnership with Manila Genesis Friday, September 20, for the digital rights of his singles which will be available for mobile downloads. 

'Series of fortunate events'

Quest believes that his whole music career had already been patterned even before he decided to try his luck in the industry.

He never thought he had a talent for singing until he joined the Victory Christian Fellowship, where he worked as a Musical Director for three years.

Until that day came when, “around 2007, a guy approached me, it was Sam Milby, he told me na, ‘Hey, if you want to pursue this just tell me, I’ll help you.’”

He didn’t immediately reply yes to Sam’s offer, not until the following year when he cannot bear anymore the call of his passion to create music.

“I decided it’s time to go out and make this a career. So I resigned 2008, ‘yong buong savings ko ginamit ko siya para magawa ‘yong album, tapos I met up with Sam and said that I’m gonna pursue this,” he said.

As a “series of fortunate events” unfold, Quest signed a contract with Corner Stone in 2009 and released his debut album “Revolution” in 2010.

His first single “Way Back to Love” got a good feedback, and even landed in the number three spot of Magic 89.9’s OPM hits from 2010-2011.

By 2011 after having “a shift of vision,” Quest decided to leave Corner Stone and move to Manila Genesis, which is headed by Angeli Valenciano.

This is when he released the song “Sige Lang,” that became the “OPM of the year in Magic 89.9. It was [also] number one in MYX in three charts: The Daily Top 10, Daily MYX Countdown, and The Hit Chart,” which all happened that year.

While on a bus ride from Quezon City going to Alabang in 2007, Quest was writing the song. In the middle of his work, he couldn’t find the perfect words that would follow the phrase, “walang imposible, sige lang sige.”

It was until he saw a billboard along Guadalupe Bridge that says, “abot mo ang mundo.” This made everyone in the conference room laugh because that was Globe Telecom’s tagline.

Quest recorded the song with his friend from an independent label called Turbulence Production, and then forgot about it in years.

Until in 2011, while cleaning up his room he found his notebook with the song’s lyrics, and once again worked with his friend for the song’s new arrangement.

The song also received a good feedback from his friend’s website, where it was downloaded for free.

It was then released, made a buzz, and lived its purpose of inspiring people.

Quest proudly shared, “It became an anthem for so many groups.” Take for one the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, who even made a music video for the song.

And by next month, Quest is about to release his second album dubbed “Life of a Champion.”

Culture of positivity

Quest relates that his upcoming album is inspired from all the negative things happening in the country right now.

“I want to create a culture where it’s all positivity,” he said. â€œI think we as musicians become responsible and make a music that will help uplift the nation, that will help uplift Filipinos.”

Though this is what he does now with his music, Quest believes that it won’t be easy for him to be noticed by the public.

“It’s a tough task for me kasi independent ako,” he shrugged.

“Pangalawa, hindi naman sa minamaliit ko ‘yong sarili ko pero mas papakinggan nila ‘yong nando’n, pakikinggan nila ‘yong mas marketable. I’ve been telling people, this is the only thing that I can offer: music,” he said.

To download Quest's Sige Lang ringback tone, just text QUEST to 8933, open for all networks. You can also vote for him on MYX for his latest single Saludo by visiting MYX' website.