Former Miss Mandaue crowned Bb. Pilipinas-International 2012

CEBU, Philippines - Her second crack for that coveted Binibining Pilipinas crown did it for half-Cebuana, half-German Nicole Maturan Schmitz.

Contestant number 8 among this year’s 30 finalists, Maturan was declared Bb. Pilipinas-International 2012 Sunday night in glittering ceremonies at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The title was passed on to her by last year’s winner Dianne Necio.

The Melanie Marquez look-alike did not disappoint pageant fanatics who had been raring for her to stage a comeback since she first joined back in 2007. She was just 18 years old then and placed among the semi-finalists. Five years after, she was back with a vengeance!

Schmitz won the first award announced in a special pageant primer aired a week before the coronation night. She was named Best in National Costume, after daintily parading in an ethnic-inspired creation by designer Edwin Uy. Online pageant followers were spot-on in declaring her as this batch’s catwalk diva (having in their opinion the best catwalk in early swimwear and fashion show events), because this experienced model also bagged the Nestle Fitness Best in Swimsuit award.

The 23-year-old Schmitz was Miss Mandaue 2006, a year after Bb. Pilipinas-World title-holder Anna Maris Igpit also won the same local title. Igpit, who was one of those instrumental in prodding the Latina-looking beauty to join Bb. Pilipinas the first time around told us prior to the finals, “I turned over my crown to Nicole in Ms. Mandaue way back in 2006. When I first saw her, I really knew she has the international appeal. So I encouraged her to join Binibini. When she said yes, we immediately went to Manila and introduced her to my trainer Rodgil Flores. The team fell in love with her right away. I was like her mom that time since her whole family is in Australia. She was an instant favorite in the pageant. But I guess the stars didn’t favor her that night. She was sixth in the ranking, and only five winners were chosen.”

Late last year, Igpit got a call from Schmitz who expressed her intent to join Binibini again. “I think she is more ready this year. She has grown into a woman – physically and intellectually. The pageant fans went crazy when she came back. I’m really positive she’s going to make it this time,” was Igpit’s prediction, now turned reality.

Schmitz was born in Sydney, Australia but calls Cebu City her hometown. Her dad is German retired chef Udo Schmitz, while her mom is Cebuana Leilani Maturan.

Standing at 5’7", she has an extensive experience in ramp modeling and print ads. Her other string of beauty titles include Miss Teen Philippines first runner-up, Model Quest Australia 2007 and Miss Philippines-Australia 2008.

But the stunner is no mere eye-candy. Schmitz will soon be the holder of two degrees – Law and Psychology. She is set to graduate from Law by the end of 2012 at the Macquarie University in Australia and had earlier earned her Psychology degree with honors.

Her educational credentials proved helpful during the anticipated Q&A, where the beauty queen was direct and distinct, short but sweet. To the question “Which would you rather be, someone who is respected or someone who is loved, and why?”, Schmitz’s reply which garnered passionate applause was: “I would rather be someone respected because that means you maintain your integrity, dignity, and self-respect. That means that in turn, you will be loved by whoever matters and everyone around you.”

The other Cebuana candidate, pageant newbie Marie Irisha Fernan Arcenas failed to make it as a semi-finalist. The 22-year-old is the only daughter of Rosendo Arcenas, a warehousing businessman and the former Maria Iris Fernan, niece of the late Marcelo B. Fernan, the only Filipino to have served both as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Senate President.

Arcenas received promising reviews from pageant critics on the lead-up to the coronation, even when this was her first attempt at any beauty tilt. With her hot bod and articulate manner of speaking, she’d be a shoo-in for the Miss Philippines-Earth contest, should she decide to give her quest for a crown another try.

Meanwhile, the other major winners are Janine Mari Tugonon who was hailed as the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2012 and Katrina Jayne Dimaranan for Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism 2012.

Tugonon is a Pharmacy Cum Laude graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas and works as a clinical specialist. She placed first runner-up in last year’s pageant that was won by Shamcey Supsup.

Along with last year’s second runner-up, Mary Jean Lastimosa, Tugonon rescinded her 2011 ranking to rejoin the competition this year. While Tugonon made it this time, Lastimosa only managed a Top 12 semifinalist placement, plus the Miss PAL and Miss AVON special awards. The runners-up, like the titleholders, are bound by an 18-month contract with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), so if a runner-up decides to rejoin the pageant the following year, she must give up her place in last year’s contest.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Dimaranan was born in San Juan, Metro Manila and is a Psychology student.

The 1st runner-up is Elaine Kay Moll and 2nd runner-up is Annalie Forbes.

Other special awardees were: Best in Long Gown - Angelee delos Reyes, Miss Photogenic - Karen Gallman, Miss Friendship - Chloie Zanardi, Miss Talent - Katrina Jayne Dimaranan, People’s Choice - Giselle Angelica Munoz and Reader’s Choice – Roxanne Tadique.

The pageant ceremony was hosted by Iza Calzado, Georgina Wilson, Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner-up Venus Raj and Xian Lim. Telecast over ABS-CBN, performers included Bamboo and Journey frontman Arnel Pineda. (FREEMAN)