MANILA, Philippines?Perhaps Renaldo Lapuz could join ?Project Runway? next year?

As early as last March, ?American Idol? producers commissioned the 45-year-old Filipino to make 10 colorful replicas of his ?Skyline Pigeon?-inspired costume, according to his manager and web master Dave Desvousges. The costumes were to be featured in the ?Idol? finale show, Desvousges told Inquirer Entertainment in an exclusive phone interview.

He recounted that Lapuz, who worked as a tricycle driver in Quezon City before moving to the US four years ago, bought a new sewing machine and costume materials from his favorite arts and crafts store, Hobby Lobby.

?Lots of feathers for the hat, as well as ribbons and silk mums,? Desvousges noted.

He surmised that the additional costumes would be worn by the Top 10 finalists, including Filipino-American Ramiele Malubay in a ?big production number.?

When Lapuz auditioned in Dallas, Texas, last year, the former Wal-Mart janitor stood out with his home-made costume: quilted white jacket, feathery hat, silver cape. The outfit, which Lapuz crafted himself, was described on the Net as ?Pimp Wizard meets Liberace.?

His performance of his composition, ?We?re Brothers Forever,? earned him the tag of this season?s William Hung, and resulted in a slew of job offers, including an endorsement deal with telecommunications giant AT&T.

?He has half a dozen bookings in the next few weeks,? Desvousges reported. ?He is set to sing at a Boston wedding and in a show at the Hard Rock Café in Boston. He is singing the US national anthem at a baseball game in Texas.?

Next month, he is shooting a cameo in GMA Films? ?Ariel and Maverick Goes to Hollywood,? along with another Fil-Am AI graduate, Jasmine Trias, plus other US-based Pinoys like Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha.

In July, Renaldo has a homecoming concert in Reno, with Trias and Hung.

Prior to these gigs, however, Lapuz?s energies were entirely devoted to the AI finale.

Desvousges said he last spoke with Lapuz on Sunday. ?He was tired [from sewing all the costumes], but excited. He stayed in Dallas, with the president of a Fil-Am organization, before flying to Hollywood [on Tuesday].? Desvousges added that Lapuz was also scheduled to appear in the ?Idol? after-show cast party.

Desvousges explained, ?He couldn?t talk about his [scheduled appearance] on the show. His rehearsals were kept secret. The spot number was meant to be a surprise.?

After his US engagements, Lapuz plans to return to the Philippines. ?To meet up with old friends,? the manager said, ?and visit a special woman ... to find out if she?s still single ? I hope his story will have a happy ending.?