Filipino Equestrian Toni Leviste Shares Blood to Save Lives

by Agent Searchlight

At the age of 26, Marie Antoinette "Toni" Leviste was able to touch down at the world’s stage when she competed in ‘Show Jumping’ as an equestrienne at the World Cup Final held in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1999. 

Unfortunately, she was not able to reap a medal from the said competition but her determination to bring honour to her country fuelled her desire to strive harder. 


After Toni’s team won a silver medal at the 2002 Asian Games, her winning frequency soared as she seized international awards year after year following the Asian Games. Her awards include a gold medal for team category and a silver medal for individual category in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. 


The latest addition to her victories was her successful domination at the CIS-Dinard Young Horse Competition in 2008. Toni, who is now 37 years old, is preparing once again to represent the Philippines in ‘Show Jumping’ at the 2012 Olympic Games.


Toni has a blood of a champion in her which she actually shares to other people – literally and figuratively. In the literal sense, she is a regular blood donor of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). On a figurative level, she shares her passion in equestrian by creating a training center in her hometown in Batangas.


On December 28, this year, Toni visited the Philippine Red Cross in Manila to donate blood, as reported by UNTV in their news programs ‘Ito ang Balita’ and ‘Hataw Balita’. She was personally assisted by Ms. Gwendolyn Pang who is the secretary general of PRC.


In an interview, Toni told UNTV that as much as she wants to donate blood more frequently her routine as an athlete does not allow it. Even with such limitation, she still managed to fulfil her commitment as a blood donor. 


According to Ms. Pang, Toni's noble act will set an example for others to follow. 


PRC said by donating blood, both the recipients and donors benefit.  Based on various medical researches, donating blood allows the replenishment of the blood supply, causing the body to function more efficiently, which in effect reduces the risk of heart attack and cancer. 


Meanwhile, the PRC stressed the immaterial benefit of blood donation to the donors. According to the organization, there is joy that the act of donating blood brings to an individual upon realizing that one had saved a fellowman in need of blood.