Nicole Schmitz

Nicole Cassandra Maturan Schmitz is a Filipino-German beauty titleholder who represented the Philippines in the Miss International 2012 pageant on Okinawa, Japan in 21 October 2012 where she placed on the Top 15 Semi-Finalist. She is also the third representative of the Philippines who has German blood after Miss International 2010 - Top 15 Semi-Finalist, Krista Kleiner and Miss International 2009 - Top 15 Semi-Finalist and Melody Gersbach.

She won the title Binibining Pilipinas International through Binibining Pilipinas 2012 pageant where she was also titled as Best in Swimsuit and Best in National Costume from that edition. In the question-and-answer portion, Schmitz, a law student, was asked by one of the judges John Martin Miller, "Which you would rather be, someone who's respected or someone who is loved and why?" Her answer: "I would rather be someone respected because that means you maintain your integrity, dignity and self-respect and that means that in turn you will be loved by whoever matters and everyone around you." At that time, 'Nicole Schmitz' trended on Twitter both Worldwide and Philippines.

After winning, she got a courtesy call from the mayor of her hometown Cebu City specifically in Liloan. She received a token of appreciation. She also had a homecoming on her mother's hometown Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, Mindanao. This is where she was also invited as a judge for the Search for BB. Jimenez 2012. She also answered in a different event the question of why "It's More fun in the Philippines": "To be honest, I've just never been anywhere else in the world where the people are so friendly, warm, and able to just have a laugh and joke about themselves. That's truly a unique experience in the Philippines, I think." She adds that the Filipinos find joy in the simplest things and this is one more reason why it is more fun in the Philippines.

She entered the top 15 on Miss International 2012 continuing the streak of the Philippines now for five years. She had her final speech as:

She also entered Top 13 in Binibining Pilipinas 2007. In the question-and-answer portion, she was asked by one of the judges Miss Universe 1994 Philippines' representative Charlene Gonzales: "What is your biggest fear and what have you done to overcome it?" Her response: "My greatest fear is actually having regret. In anyone's life, it doesn't benefit them if they're gonna regret something so what I do to combat that is that I just make sure that everything I do it's because I want to do it. I don't do something with any doubts in my mind. I do it with sureness and I'm very confident in myself and in that way, that's how I combat that. Thank you."

She is under Rodgil Flores who handled and trained Miss International 2005, Precious Lara Quigaman; Miss International 2008 - Top 12 Semi-Finalist Patricia Fernandez; Miss International 2011 - Top 15 Semi-Finalist Dianne Necio; Miss World 2005 - Top 15 Semi-Finalist Carlene Aguilar; Miss World 2004 - Top 5 Finalist Karla Bautista; Miss Earth Air 2009 Sandra Seifert and Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry.