MISS INTERNATIONAL 2012 - A RE-ASSESSMENT

by Owen Navarra

NICOLE SCHMITZ – A WINNER BUT NOT REALLY….

Pageant observers say that Nicole is one of the Philippine representatives that is most ready to conquer the Miss International arena. By the time she arrived in Japan, she was followed by photographers, one of the many indications that she was one of the most appreciated candidates. Come pageant night, she gave out one of the most convincing speech that any level-headed panel of jurors would hard put in not choosing her to be the winner. But she did not. How did this happen?

Throughout all the pageant activities, Nicole was a latina personified. Her German ancestry plus her Australian upbringing and probably her training under personal mentor all pointed out to a latina vibe and projection. However, a lot of people were surprised that on pageant night itself, the night that would have mattered most, Nicole despite her projection donned attire with very conservative colors and a hairdo that is reminiscent of the 80’s. Her styling was horrendous so to speak. The color of gown does not suit her. She is more resplendent with red or green colors. That probably spelled her doom despite the very excellent delivery of her speech.

MISS JAPAN AS MISS INTERNATIONAL – WHY NOT?

The Miss International Beauty Pageant is already 52 years in existence and it is only now that they crowned a Miss International from their own country. For the past 51 years, people were witnesses to many Japanese candidates who were really beautiful but did not make it as the winner. When the contest were done in Chinese soil in the previous years that could have been the chance that the Japanese could have crowned a compatriot but they did not. They opted for this year since they had a candidate that excellently delivered a meaningful speech. Although it was probably a difficult decision since it took the Japanese judges quite a time to deliberate on the winner. More so, coming from the heels of the questionable choice of Miss China as the new Miss World 2012 which was done also in home soil, the complex decision is like hara-kiri to the Japanese. 

Personally, as a pageant observer, the Japanese prototype for their Miss International was really far from their choice this year. They have veered away from the doll-like choices they had in the past. Is the Japanese taste changing? Or has the Japanese organizers learned from their counterpart countries wherein they do not have qualms of choosing a compatriot to win in their native soil. Beats me, but from the looks of it, Miss Japan would be a very good Miss International for all intents and purposes. 

MISS SUPRANATIONAL IN PASSING REVIEW

Miss Philippines wins a princess crown

 by Jetset Alejandro

BELARUS LORDS IT OVER AT SUPRANATIONAL PAGEANT: Elaine Kay Moll, Binibining Pilipinas 2012 First Runner-Up charmed the jury at the Miss Supranational Competition in Poland last September 14, 2012 by bagging the 3^rd runner-up crown. Elaine was poise and beauty personified as she sashayed her beauty wares in Warsaw, Poland. With a towering height of 5’11”, she was already a force to reckon with in that pageant where Miss Belarus Katsyariana Buraya took the crown from around 52 other candidates all over the world.

Although it was still an Eastern European country that was crowned during the pageant, it was endearing to note that two Southeast Asian beauties entered the Final 5. Miss Thailand Nanthawan Wannachutha was first runner-up.

THE CONTINENTAL QUEENS: Looking back at the winners of the pageant, it was quite a deviation to see continental queens not from the winning list. I was expecting the Continental Queen for Asia should be Miss Thailand because she is the highest ranking candidate from Asia. However, it was Miss Vietnam who was given the accolade. Vietnam was not part of the Top 20 but we can surmise that she is the highest ranking Asian candidate after Miss Philippines. It is thus understandable that the highest ranking candidate from the continents apart from the Top 5 are assigned the titles of the Continental Queens.

THE MISS INTERNET AWARD: In the Miss Internet award competition, Miss Thailand romped off with the award. It is such a juicy bit of news since Filipinos, Vietnamese, Puerto Ricans and Indians have very rabid internet fans who will turn all stones to make their candidates lead the pack in this contest. It seems like the Filipino fans lost the zest in supporting their kind as Miss Philippines ranked 9 also in the tally. Or have they learned their lessons since they note that get losing candidates if they win in the internet popularity poll?  I do not however wonder about Miss Thailand because in the recent Miss World Competition, Thailand was doing well in the internet tally until Miss India toppled her for the top spot. On the other hand, Miss India’s second placement reflects votes in other contests.

THE JUDGES: The circle of judges is predominantly Polish and previous Miss Supranational winners. The judges are as follows: Slawomir Stopczyk, Angelika Ogryzek, Miss Poland 2011, Marek Nowotny, Weronika Marczuk, Carsten Mohr, Henrique Fontes of Global Beauties, Karina Pinilla, Miss Supranational 2010, Piotr Walczak ,Monika Lewczuk, Miss Supranational 2011 and lastly Gerhard Parzutka von Lipinski.

MISS PHILIPPINES: Elaine is so happy for this placement. She is happy to give honor to the country as it has been her dream to be competing in a national arena where the sash of the Philippines hangs in front of her. She is so proud about being a Filipino and thus she really worked hard for this and endured very strenuous trainings and cold weather in Poland. The results are not only astonishing but a great honor for her country.