Zeinab Harake counts her blessings after screenshot controversy

Zeinab Harake (right) with fiancé Bobby Ray Parks Jr.—ZEINAB HARAKE/ INSTAGRAM

Actress and social media influencer Zeinab Harake said that it was the screenshot controversy she figured in almost two years ago where she learned who her true friends and supporters are.

“It’s true that you experience true loyalty when you’re at your lowest. You will know who will choose to stay beside you, or defend you while inside a room full of people who talk ill of you. These people will support you no matter what,” Zeinab told Inquirer Entertainment during her relaunch as ambassador of Caffe Black, a product of the health and lifestyle brand Luxe Slim.

The controversy was between Zeinab and a fellow vlogger, who released a video containing screenshots of their conversations that mentioned other personalities. While Zeinab apologized to the celebrity vloggers involved, other social media users expressed alarm over the possibility of their private conversations being publicized. This prompted netizens to review a 2020 advisory opinion released by the National Privacy Commission saying that “posting or sharing a screenshot of a private conversation involving personal information without the consent of the parties involved” may be punishable under the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Throughout the ordeal, Zeinab said she turned to her two kids, Lucas and Bia, for strength. “I can’t seem to draw strength from within me. It’s hard to do that when you’re already in a tight situation in your life and you want to uplift yourself. Whenever I look at my family, I’m reminded that I needed to fight because of them,” she said.

Relationship with God

Zeinab said it was through her fiance, basketball player Bobby Ray Parks Jr., that she was finally able to develop a relationship with God. “I grew up a Catholic. I feel that I’ve always been close to God, but it’s different if you have a relationship with Him,” she began.

“When we feel like we’re about to get into a fight, Ray and I would pause and pray first. My prayer would always be, ‘Please remove this heavy feeling in my chest at this moment.’ Whenever I feel like I’m about to have panic attacks or temper tantrums, I would pray to Him, too. This is actually the most important blessing that Ray has given me, more than his love.”

Ray also attended the event with Zeinab’s daughter Bia and sister Rana. When asked to talk about Zeinab’s renewed commitment to her Maker, Ray said: “I just want to direct everybody to God. A lot of us feel lost most of the time, but with the right guidance, given the right purpose, we can do a lot more. Right now, our relationship is still growing. That she introduced me to the kids means she trusts me and is letting me in their lives.”

Ray popped the question to Zeinab early July. The grand wedding proposal was uploaded on Zeinab’s YouTube channel. She wore the engagement ring to the media conference. “The wedding will happen in 2025, but it won’t be as grand as the proposal, she said. “I want it to be intimate and simple. I want to be able to feel love all around, so this means I have to really choose who to invite,” she said.

Dream house

The couple plans to build their dream house before trying to have a baby, added Zeinab. “We bought a lot recently. We hope to build our home in two years. This is also the reason Daddy Ray chose to sign up for another year in Japan. Rather than spend so much for the wedding, we plan to work hard to be able to build that home for our future,” she said.

The 6-foot-4 guard last played for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins of the Japanese B.League.

Zeinab, who debuted as an actress in the horror-thriller “Kampon,” said she would still accept acting jobs as long as her schedule permits. “I don’t want to say ‘yes’ to projects just for the heck of it. I want to give my best,” she explained.

“Time apart is always difficult,” said Ray of their impending separation. “It’s like we always have to adjust every time we see each other. This chapter of me signing again to work in Japan is a sacrifice on both our ends. We’ll definitely make it work for the kids and for the family.”

The setup will change once they are already married, promised Ray. “My godly counsel told me that it’s really not advisable to be apart when you’re married. The moment we’re married, I will make sure that I will be there for her and the kids,” he said. INQ