Zeinab Harake on also proposing to Bobby Ray Parks Jr.: ‘Hindi lang ako, dapat ikaw din’

Zeinab Harake and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. made their first-ever TV guest appearance together as a married couple.

On Tuesday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” the newly wedded couple talked about their relationship, including Zeinab taking her turn to propose to Ray after they got engaged.

Zeinab explained her gesture, saying, “Kasi ‘di ba binigyan niya ako ng singsing. So kapagka sa Pilipinas ako, ako may singsing. Kasi siya sa Japan, wala siyang singsing. Sabi ko bibilhan ko ‘tong singsing. Sabi ko magpo-propose ako.”

The social media personality deliberately chose Nagoya, Japan to do her proposal.

“Sa Nagoya kami nag-start ng dating na eh, ‘yung talagang may malalim na connection, feelings, so sabi ko perfect sa Nagoya. And he’s transferring to Osaka. So before siya mag-transfer sa Osaka, talagang pinili ko na okay, luluhuran rin kita,” she said.

“Gusto ko kasi lagi siyang may suot na singsing din. Hindi lang ako, dapat ikaw din.”

Ray expressed his pleasant surprise at Zeinab’s proposal.

“I was actually surprised, pero natuwa rin naman ako,” he said.

The couple also opened up about the beginnings of their relationship, with Zeinab initially admitting to not being ready for a relationship.

“Binebebe ko lang siya kasi sabi ko hindi ako ready pumasok sa relasyon. I’m very honest naman talaga sa kaniya from the start na I’m not looking for love at the moment. So talagang bine-bebe ko lang siya. Pakilig lang ako. Pero ‘di ko naman alam na i-ti-twist pala ni God ‘yung story,” Zeinab said.

The couple’s journey began with a series of initial meetings, with Zeinab considering their third meeting in Batangas their first true date.

“‘Yung last before siya mag-Japan. ‘Yung dalawa po kasi, galing akong work. First, na-meet ko lang siya sa same location na nandodoon ako. Second, galing akong work. So hindi siya ‘yung kaming dalawa lang. So ‘yung third time po ‘yung kaming dalawa lang,” she said.

Ray agreed, saying, “Nagkaroon na ng intimacy kumbaga ‘yung sa third kaya na-consider po namin na date.”

After the initial interactions, they saw each other again in Japan.

“After three ‘dates,’ nag-travel siya sa Japan po. Na-bless po siya ng ticket by her friend,” Ray said.

Ray, who was based in Nagoya, traveled to Tokyo to meet Zeinab.

According to the couple, their formal courtship officially began when Zeinab made a second, solo trip back to Japan.

“Dinayo ko na siya,” she said, laughing.

Zeinab and Ray got married on June 1 in Tagaytay.

The venue was decorated with a silver runway and red roses. Among the guests spotted were Hans Sy, Yassi Pressman, Toni Gonzaga, Paul Soriano, Alex Gonzaga, and Awra Briguela.

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News