Rosanna Yulo goes where most Women fear to tread

Rosanna Yulo is now in her mid-thirties, and for the last thirteen years, she has enjoyed every month of the polo season– roughly from January to April–courting disaster and accident, excelling in a sport traditionally seen as a bastion of male supremacy.

"The love for horses and things equestrian was always there," she says by way of explanation for her unusual pursuit. "I used to show jump and do dressage. They’re both very challenging, and I admire those who persevere in the disciplines. For me though, there came a time when the idea of doing something from a team sport perspective just seemed the right challenge. How I actually arrived at polo is a funny story."

She continues, "Back then, I‘d walk around the practice fields with a mallet, just hitting the ball and doing things from ground level. The grooms were scrimmaging one day and they were short one player. They asked me to play with them as a half-joke, and I never looked back.

"With the very first competitive polo game I played, I was hooked for good! Late last year I was telling everyone that this would be my last season; I felt I was getting old, that the physical demands were beginning to tell on my body, so there were all these feelers for getting my ponies and so on. Wouldn’t you know it, the first game this year and I was convinced this just couldn’t be the last year. It’s still too exciting; all that I loved in the game, the camaraderie among players, the playing itself, they’re all too much to say a final goodbye to right now."

For someone so immersed in "Life in the Horse-y Set", Rosanna is a prime example of just how immersed one can be. To speak of extremes, of obsessive drives, does not even come close to describing her life. She nonchalantly throws up the fact that she’s corporate secretary for the family real estate firm, Byme, but readily admits that the position, along with her dog grooming business, are sidelines to her polo playing.

"Even back when I was much younger, when my Dad (the late Jesus Miguel Yulo) was still alive, I’d spend countless hours at the stables," she recalls. "I’d hang out with the grooms, drinking with them, and it would be my Dad who’d come to the Club and pick me up, complaining about how the stables were practically ‘home’ to me."

After her father’s untimely demise, Rosanna knew that the ready finances for her to indulge in her passion were not as accessible. "For the help and support they extended, I’ll always be grateful to Inigo (Zobel), Ricky (Yabut) and Prince Rahman (of Pahang, Malaysia). They made it a point to take me under their wings and see me through those tough times. My mother, Baby (yes, she of the cake and baking fame), understood just how much the polo playing was part of my life and, along with the family, continue to stand behind my decision to keep on playing."

She smiles when she speaks of family. "I like to joke that everything my Mom is, I’m not. We’re complete opposites. And while, for a time, she would get on my case about doing something more conventional, she’s behind me 100 percent." And then Rosanna adds, with a laugh, "Or maybe she learned to just give up on me!"

Asked what other things she indulges in, it came as no surprise that her answer still included things physical. "Softball, flag football, diving and spending time at the beach," she enumerates. "I go to Boracay four to five times in a year. As for flag football, that’s this version of American football or rugby that has one girl per side. I know, another one of those sports where women are in a very marked minority. The tackling got really rough last week and I may not be able to play polo this weekend because I’ve been experiencing chest pains–probably bruised or fractured!"

This concept of living with physical pain or even playing through injury is nothing new to Osang (besides Osang, her other nickname is Oz). "Temporary amnesia, fractured elbows, hemorrhages...at one time or another, I’ve experienced all of those," she admits, almost matter-of-factly. "But worst of all is the bruised ego." We wonder though whether the bruised ego refers to her own or to those of the men who’ve ridden against her in polo matches; she ruefully smiles and pleads the Fifth, refusing to be baited into giving an answer.

As for the dog grooming business she started up, she says: "Seriously, I did eleven months of Vet Tech, which qualifies you to be an assistant to a veterinarian. Eleven months because after a while, it was too depressing, dealing with all these sick animals. So when my Mom said I had to do something more constructive with my life, I chose to start up this business. It’s not something I’m going to get rich by, but it does keep me busy and it’s something I love. I really can’t see myself behind a desk, doing the 9-to-5 routine."

I asked how many dogs she had at home, and wasn’t surprised to learn there are over 20 dogs at the Yulo residence–Golden Retrievers and, of special note, English mastiffs. These are the big ones, 200-pound dogs that are extremely popular right now. To keep them cool during summer, Osang admits to creating havoc in the house by employing all the giant electric fans. "I’m into dog breeding as well, so that does keep me busy when the polo season is on hiatus."

Osang’s social life is something she’s not too comfortable talking about. "I was married, it lasted all of two years, from 1997 to 1999," she ventures. "We’re still friends, but don’t see much of each other. I was involved with someone after that, but we broke up recently. Again, we’re still friends and him, I still see. He was the first guy the polo guys actually liked for me. I don’t really have much of a sense for going out. I tend to just go with the flow and hang out with the friends I do have. In fact, if I don’t make the effort, it’s just as easy for me to stay home, watch a film and get up early to head for the stables.

"This last relationship made life so much easier for me. After the polo season, I’d immerse myself in basketball. Their season would be ongoing and as he played for one of the PBA teams… Shell… you’d find me at the games. Like I said, we still see each other and remain good friends."

Other interest? "Shopping? That’s a joke. Seems like the only place I shop is Marlboro Country!" she laughs. "I’m your basic shorts, jeans, tank top, and t-shirt kind of person. To find other things in my closet is like going on a treasure hunt."

Egging her to give me a favorite anecdote from her life as a polo player, Osang reluctantly shared this one. "This was back when I was still kind of new to the game. I accompanied the team to the Royal Pahang Cup in Malaysia. Told that I would play in one of the games, I accompanied the other players on to the field. There, one of the opposing team members was asking my team where our fourth player was. I sheepishly raised my hand and felt they didn’t know whether to take me seriously or not. Well, we won that game–and I scored twice!"

Remember the other nickname Osang carries? It’s Oz, and in more ways than one, it truly fits her. If you recall the film and give it a bit of a twist, Rosanna would be the Tin Woman who’s all heart. She’s shown it in the way she took up a game in which all the odds were stacked against her and yet, proved she belonged.

If and when she does finally hang up those riding boots and polo mallet at the end of this or some future polo season, it certainly won’t be for lack of spirit, but only that she realizes that as the body sends its signals, it’s always better to quit when you’re ahead.