Filipino entrepreneur and top-performing real estate broker Aquino Plotado, who recently closed a staggering AED 1 billion beachfront deal in Ras Al Khaimah, took to Facebook this week to share heartfelt advice for fellow brokers navigating the highs and lows of the industry.
In a post that has since resonated across the UAE’s Filipino real estate community, Plotado encouraged agents to embrace authenticity and strategy, rather than simply mimicking others.
“Dare to be different. Be unique. Be YOU. Be authentic,” he wrote. “Learn from top brokers, but don’t just copy. Adapt and elevate those strategies to create your own winning version.”
Plotado, who previously worked in Dubai’s hospitality sector before transitioning into real estate, acknowledged that the business comes with periods of stagnation. “Yes, there will be times when deals don’t close for weeks or months. That’s normal. Don’t give up,” he said, reflecting on his own journey, which saw him secure deals on his first day at Metropolitan due to preparation and passion.
Rather than limiting himself to the saturated Dubai market, Plotado carved out his niche in Ras Al Khaimah, eventually closing an exclusive AED 1 billion project on Marjan Island in collaboration with fam Properties—an extraordinary feat for an independent broker.
“This commission structure was different,” he explained, noting it included commissions from total sales value, B2B deals, and referrals. “Usually, only master developers or large agencies handle that. But I took the challenge.”
He also urged brokers to look beyond popular trends. “With Disneyland coming to Yas Island and the Red Sea Project booming in Saudi with names like Four Seasons, St. Regis, Armani, and more—ask yourself, where should you focus?”
Plotado reminded readers to resist the urge to follow the crowd. “Be a product knowledge expert. Be an area expert. Be a walking Wikipedia,” he wrote. “Show the world you are unstoppable, unshakeable, and truly talented.”
Acknowledging the negativity that can come from peers in the industry, he offered reassurance: “Along the way, you’ll meet negative, envious, and insecure people… like empty cans that rattle loudly, their noise fades. You won’t.”
Now based in Ras Al Khaimah as the founder of Aquino Plotado Real Estate International, Plotado also dedicates time to philanthropy and film, recently being honored with a Star Icon Award for Outstanding Filipino Entrepreneur in Property and Entertainment.
His final message was a rallying call to aspiring brokers: “Go out there, be different, stay different, and always dare to think differently—because by being different, you can actually make a difference.”
