OFW Interview with Aquino Plotado, Founder and CEO of a Real Estate Company in UAE

Aquino Plotado’s story is one that truly inspires. From starting as a Jollibee service crew member in the Philippines to working in the hospitality industry in the UAE, Aquino worked his way up to become the founder and CEO of Aquino Plotado Real Estate International in the UAE. His drive, determination, and love for connecting with people have led him to achieve incredible milestones, including closing a AED 1 billion beachfront deal on Marjan Island.

In this OFW interview, we’ll take a closer look at Aquino’s inspiring journey—from navigating challenges as a Filipino in a competitive industry to building his own real estate business. He’ll also share valuable tips for fellow OFWs who are chasing their dreams in Dubai. This is a story of resilience, vision, and the power of believing in yourself!

Profile: Aquino Plotado, Founder and CEO of Aquino Plotado Real Estate International

Name: Aquino Plotado
Current Profession: Founder and CEO of Aquino Plotado Real Estate International
Years in Dubai: 14 years

1. Tell us about yourself.

My name is Aquino, and I’m 38 years old. I have a twin sister named Cory, we were both named after the former Philippine President, Cory Aquino. I have two sons, Sheikh and Hamdan. Both were born here in Dubai and are named after the Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan. I currently work in real estate in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. I took up a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in college, though I didn’t complete the degree.

I’ve been living in the UAE for 14 years now. Before transitioning to real estate and film production, I built a successful career in the hospitality industry, where I was honored with over 80 awards and recognitions for my work. These experiences have shaped my dedication, passion, and drive for excellence in everything I do.

2. Why did you come to Dubai?

Actually, I didn’t have any plans to come to Dubai initially. My sister surprised me with a visa and a flight ticket to the UAE. At first, I came as a tourist, just to see the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and Ferrari World. Later on, she encouraged me to try applying for a job here, just to see if I’d like it. That’s how I landed my first job at Yas Island Rotana. I really enjoyed it, and from there, everything just fell into place. The rest, as they say, is history.

3. What were your previous jobs?

I started my career as a service crew member at Jollibee in Munoz, Quezon City. Later, I worked as a call center agent at Teleperformance and Sykes. After that, I moved into the hospitality industry, where I worked in renowned hotels like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Kempinski, and Jumeirah. Over time, I expanded my experience into the sports and entertainment industries, and eventually transitioned into real estate and film production, where I’m currently building my career.

4. Can you tell us more about what inspired you to venture into real estate?

I’ve always loved sales and the opportunity it gives me to connect with different types of people. I find it incredibly fulfilling to help clients, investors, and buyers find the right property, investment, or home that suits their needs. Real estate wasn’t an easy industry to get into, but I’m grateful that I was able to close deals on my very first day at the company. Over time, I’ve also been fortunate to close deals worth millions, even billions. That experience inspired me to keep going, and it motivates me to keep growing in this field every day.

5. What challenges did you face as a Filipino professional starting out in Dubai’s highly competitive real estate market?

It was definitely challenging as a Filipino to start in real estate here, because we often face stereotypes that associate us with roles like nannies, cleaners, cashiers in malls, or mostly admin jobs. On top of that, the market is already saturated with experienced real estate agents who’ve been in the industry for years.

But I came fully prepared with my own strategy and mindset. I drew on my experiences working in 24 different companies, and I made it a point to stand out and always stay ahead of the game. That’s why I was able to become one of the top sales performers at fäm Properties, the largest real estate company in Dubai, during Q4 of 2023. I turned the challenges into motivation, proving that with the right approach and determination, anything is possible.

6. Transitioning from being an employee to owning your real estate firm is a big leap. What motivated you to take that step, and how did you prepare for it?

I’ve always dreamed of owning my own company and building it into something bigger and better. I’m driven, motivated, and ambitious by nature, and I believe in taking calculated risks when opportunities align with my goals.

To prepare for this transition, I made sure I was fully equipped with knowledge about the real estate market, the latest laws and regulations, and everything else that could help me succeed in closing deals. I also leveraged my wide network of connections across various fields and industries here in the Middle East, which has been invaluable. My experience, dedication, and willingness to work smarter rather than just harder have given me the confidence to take this leap and make my vision a reality.

7. The AED 1 billion Marjan Island deal is a massive achievement. Can you walk us through how this deal, and collaboration with fäm Properties, came about and the key factors that led to its success?

It’s a full beachfront project in Marjan Island, near the first-ever casino in the UAE, with a total value of AED 1 billion. As an independent broker and an expert in Ras Al Khaimah, I identified the developer and referred them to fäm Properties. Having worked at fäm Properties before and knowing it’s the largest real estate agency in the UAE, I was confident they could deliver the results the developer was looking for.

We were actually competing with other top agencies for the exclusivity of this project, which made the negotiations even more challenging. After months of discussions and strategizing, Francesco from fäm Properties and I were finally able to secure the deal.

Interestingly, I almost closed an AED 1.5 billion deal during my first month at fäm Properties, but since I’m now an independent broker, I wanted to leverage my strong relationship with them and ensure this AED 1 billion deal was brought to the table and successfully closed. In the end, the key factors that led to this success were trust, experience, strategic networking, and the willingness to collaborate for the best outcome.

8. Aside from your real estate endeavors, you’ve also been involved in philanthropy and filmmaking. How do these pursuits shape your overall vision as an entrepreneur?

I’ve always believed that success should go hand-in-hand with giving back, which is why I founded the Aquino Plotado Philanthropy Foundation. Its main goal is to support the poorest public schools in the Philippines and make a positive impact on the lives of underprivileged children.

At the same time, I’m deeply passionate about film, music, and the entertainment industry. That passion led me to establish Aquino Plotado Film International. Our very first short film, As The Call So The Echo, became a finalist at the 11th Emirates Film Festival here in Dubai and earned awards for Best Actor (Enzo Pineda) and Best Director (Rusty Palacio Guarin), along with two other nominations for Best Child Actor (Prince España) and Best Film.

These pursuits align with my vision as an entrepreneur: to build a legacy that’s not just about business success but also about inspiring others, giving back, and creating meaningful change across different fields.

9. What are your plans for your career/family/future?

For my career, I plan to expand my real estate business into Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, and beyond, to Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. I also aim to produce more films and discover new talents, especially singers I can manage and help build their careers.

For my family, my priority is my two kids, Sheikh and Hamdan. I’m focused on securing their future and providing them with the best opportunities.

Looking ahead, my plans include continuing to pursue what I love: film, music, entertainment, real estate, and hospitality. I’ll keep giving my very best every step of the way, and I truly believe the best is yet to come.

10. Do you have any tips for Kabayans when working/finding work/living in Dubai? Or tips for those OFWs who wish to venture in the same field in UAE?

To my Kabayans, I would say: do what you’re passionate about and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Never stop working hard for your dreams. Use every painful experience in life as fuel to keep pushing forward, and remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

For my fellow OFWs who wish to venture into the real estate or similar fields here in the UAE, my advice is: go the extra mile, don’t just settle for what’s expected. Focus on your goals and surround yourself with positive, supportive people who believe in your potential. Avoid negativity, and never be afraid to make mistakes, just make sure you learn from them and keep moving forward. Success in this industry, and in life, comes from resilience, dedication, and believing in yourself.

BONUS: If there’s anything you’d like to add, message to your family, or anything you want to share/promote, please add them here.

To all my Kabayans: if you have any investors or buyers looking for properties here in the UAE, feel free to refer them to me. We can work together. I always believe that your network is your net worth. With the Philippines known for its strong presence in the casino industry, and with the first-ever casino opening soon here in the UAE, now is the perfect time to invest and earn more commissions. Let’s work together and help each other grow.

Connect with Aquino Plotado Online

To learn more about Aquino Plotado, you can follow his social media channels and website:

Facebook: Aquino Plotado Real Estate International
Instagram: @aquinoplotado
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aquinoplotado/

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* Photos provided by Chef Nouel, Chef Nouel Catis Facebook page

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