Miss International and the Philippines has a long and sweet relationship to the point that this year, things are very favorable for Miss Philippines Nicole Schmitz. It does help that the National Director of the Philippines is the very first Miss International. The advantages being is that first, it allows the Philippines to fully understand the pageant and second it develops a sense of long term relationship.

Needless to say, the Philippines is a very strong nation at Miss International. It boasts 4 crowns and is the only East Asian nation to win the pageant. This Big4/sash factor is pivotal for Nicole and is a crucial help should competition is very close.

Nicole is also in a unique position wherein she is a Filipina with Latina features and a European name. With the Miss International crown simply being passed amongst Latinas, Europeans and a Filipina (except the year when Lebanon won of course) in the past 10 years, the demographic that Nicole seems to represent is a recipe for her success.

In political aspect, Philippines and Japan are allies nowadays albeit in a tangential nature. Aggressive China put both countries in the same fence thanks to the territorial disputes that strained diplomatic relationships in the past few months. 

Of course, Nicole's best weapon for winning is herself. Her statuesque aura. Her nice broad smile and that face that simply cuts above the rest. Hers is a Filipina beauty subtly layered with German verfeinerung.

The year 2012 could be the year when the Philippines wins the Miss International crown again. This would sustain the good run of the country that started in 2010 when its Miss Universe drought ended. In 2011, all of its Big4 contestants made it to the semis. This year it made a good showing at Miss World. Indeed the fifth Miss International crown would reassure the nation that it is indeed a beauty superpower.