Binibining Pilipinas-International 2012 Nicole Schmitz is back in the country after a well-fought competition against 68 other global beauties at the 52nd Miss International competition on October 20 in Okinawa, Japan. She made it to the Top 15 semifinalists and has done her country proud.

Ikumi Yoshimatsu who hails from the host country is this year’s Miss International. Viivi Suominen of Finland won first runner-up followed by Madusha Mayadunne of Sri Lanka who placed second, Melody Mir of Dominican Republic who finished third, and Nicole Huber of Paraguay who won fourth place.

Half-Filipino and half-German Schimtz wowed the crowd at the swimsuit competition where she donned a dark two-piece animal print bathing suit. Later in the pageant, the BS Psychology graduate and soon-to-be-lawyer gained even more fans and drew cheers with her elegant white evening gown and applaud-worthy Top 15 final speech on why she should win the crown:

“Peace, love, unity—these three words are the Miss International pageant. Having spent the past three weeks in Okinawa, I have witnessed the special connection it has with the world.

Globalization and multi-cultural diversity can exist. We can be uniquely global and globally unique. This is my mission. I want people to appreciate that we not only belong to local communities but the world at large. By this understanding we can contribute to global goals. I am standing here in front of you open to offer my heritage and myself, as a strong compassionate responsible and independent woman in this quest for global harmony. And I can stand here proudly and consider myself an international citizen.”

The pretty and articulate Filipina once said that she never saw herself joining beauty competitions; however, she was discovered while strolling at a mall and as opportunities began to unfold, she decided to give it a go.

Schmitz wishes Miss International 2012 Ikumi Yoshimatsu all the best and believes that the rare opportunity to join the prestigious international beauty competition alone will lead to bigger and better things.

“The future is open to all possibilities and joining Philippine show business is definitely one of them,” she said in phone interview shortly after the coronation night.