By Staff Reporter
Dubai: From a bold leap to independence to closing one of Ras Al Khaimah’s biggest real estate deals, Filipino entrepreneur Aquino Plotado is rewriting the rules of success in the Gulf.
In the high-stakes world of Middle East real estate, making noise is tough. Making history is even tougher. Yet Plotado has done just that.
“I brought the deal to fäm Properties in strategic collaboration with Francesco Ferretti,” Plotado says. “This wasn’t just a transaction—it was a strategic alliance, driven by deep market insight, relentless hustle, and the decision to bet on myself while aligning with a trusted powerhouse like fäm.”
“I brought the deal to fäm Properties in strategic collaboration with Francesco Ferretti,” Plotado says.
From brokerage to billion: A vision comes full circle
Plotado’s real estate journey didn’t start with numbers—it started with ambition. That ambition first sparked in 2023, when he nearly closed a Dh1.5 billion hotel project on the same island.
“Even then, I knew I could deliver a billion-dirham deal,” he says. “It was only a matter of timing and strategy.”
He proved it by returning to Marjan Island—this time not as an employee, but as an independent visionary. He brought the deal to fäm Properties and forged a high-impact partnership with Francesco Ferretti, sealing one of the region’s most talked-about off-plan beachfront projects.
“fäm has always been an industry force,” Plotado says. “Partnering with them again—this time as a peer—was a personal win and a smart move.”
This milestone cements his reputation as a bold, strategic player who knows how to take risks—and when to partner wisely.
“It was a full-circle moment,” Plotado adds. “This deal wasn’t luck—it was built on relationships, risk, and resilience.”
Beyond real estate: Plotado’s creative and philanthropic footprint
What makes Plotado’s journey even more compelling is that he’s not just a real estate powerhouse—he’s also a storyteller and changemaker.
His debut short film, As The Call, So The Echo, made waves at the 11th Emirates Film Festival, earning Best Actor (Enzo Pineda), Best Director (Rusty Palacio Guarin), and nominations for Best Film and Best Child Actor.
“I’ve always believed business success and creative passion don’t have to live in separate worlds,” he tells Gulf News. “Storytelling is a powerful tool for change—and this film was proof of that.”
Through the Aquino Plotado Philanthropy Foundation, he’s channeling his success into real impact—donating ₱1 million (Dh64,000), tech equipment, and bonuses to his former high school in Malabon City, Philippines.
“Success means nothing if it doesn’t lift others,” Plotado says. “Education changed my life. Now, I’m paying it forward.”
Looking ahead, Plotado is focused on expansion—not just in business, but in influence.
“Filipinos aren’t just participants in the UAE’s growth—we’re creators of it,” he tells Gulf News. “We have the heart, the hustle, and the hunger to lead.”
His advice to young Filipino professionals looking to break into the real estate industry?
“Dare to be different. Be bold. Be YOU. Don’t copy—create. That’s how you go from good… to unforgettable.”
Legacy in Motion
With billion-dirham deals, award-winning films, and transformative philanthropic work under his belt, Plotado is doing more than making headlines—he’s building a legacy. And he’s just getting started.
Source: Gulf News
