Crowning heritage: Edwin Uy on the tribal design that changed his life

For renowned costume designer Edwin Uy, the path to becoming one of the Philippines’ most sought-after names in pageant fashion began with a single bold creation — a tribal ensemble that blended craftsmanship, cultural pride, and timeless elegance.

Uy fondly recalls the landmark piece that opened doors for his career on the global stage: an ethnic tribal national costume made for Miss Philippines April Rose Perez during the Miss Earth 2002 competition. It was a time before online voting influenced pageant decisions, and national costumes were judged solely on merit and artistry.

“That was one of the very first national costumes I designed for an international pageant,” Uy shares. “It was also my first time creating an ethnic tribal ensemble. The costume was made of wooden tassels, wooden beads, and rhinestones.”

Among the 53 countries represented that year, Uy’s intricate costume placed second — a remarkable feat that signaled the emergence of a visionary designer with deep reverence for Filipino heritage and a fearless approach to creativity.

The impact of the costume extended far beyond the pageant stage. Celebrated singer Kuh Ledesma, known for her passion for cultural representation, saw the piece and was instantly captivated. She purchased it from Uy and began wearing it in her concerts — both in the Philippines and abroad — during the stirring finale performance of “Ako’y Pilipino.”

“Every time she would sing that song wearing the costume, the audience would erupt in applause,” Uy beams with pride.

Ledesma’s admiration for the ensemble culminated in another iconic moment: a billboard along EDSA featuring her in the costume’s striking headdress, immortalizing the look for thousands to see every day.

From that early triumph, Edwin Uy would go on to design hundreds of pageant costumes celebrating regional identity, cultural history, and modern Filipino artistry. But for him, that first tribal creation remains more than just a beautiful costume — it’s a turning point, a symbol, and a tribute to what Filipino design can be when it dares to embrace its roots.