PHILIPPINE equestrienne and Olympian Toni Leviste has temporarily put aside her preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London to be actively involved in another advocacy program.

?I am really looking forward to the London Olympiad especially since I heard last year that equestrian is among the few sports here that is being eyed for the country?s participation in 2012. The others, I believe, are swimming, track and field. The mandatory ones, I heard, are boxing and taekwondo. With my new horse Batangas Magic, I believe I have a good shot in qualifying for the Olympic Games again,? said Leviste, who has been the cornerstone of Philippine equestrian for over a decade already.

Leviste admitted, though, that recent personal developments have affected her preparation for her possible stint in London. But she said that it will only be a matter of time when she resumes her full-time training and competition in the international circuit.

?I will always be an athlete and will always be proud to represent the country in any international event,? Leviste said.

At the same time, she will be actively involved in the Art of Peace, an inter-faith peace campaign to promote peace and harmony among Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths.

Leviste is a Muslim convert and a member of the Young Moro of the Philippines Network, which is spearheading the peace campaign.

The kick-off event for the advocacy campaign is a symbolical and peaceful blood-letting dubbed Isang Dugo, Isang Bansa (Type Mo, Type Ko) set on Sunday, starting at 1 p.m., at the Philippine National Red Cross.

Joining Leviste are Red Cross chairman Senator Richard Gordon and other volunteer Muslims and Christians assembling together to donate blood as a sign of unity between people of different religious beliefs.

Leviste is extending her invitation to other athletes to join her in the event.