PHOTO: Instagram/Zeinab_Harake, Instagram/niceprintphoto

We’re only a few days into the second half of the year, but this engagement might just be the grandest for 2024! With a light-filled backdrop, Filipino-American basketball player Bobby Ray Parks Jr. proposed to Filipina-Lebanese content creator Zeinab Harake in front of their family and friends on July 5. And of course, the couple announced it along with a 30-minute vlog—uploaded three days later, on July 8—to take us behind the scenes of it all. (You might want to grab some tissues!)

Zeinab Harake and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. Are Now Engaged

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. Asked For The Blessing Of Zeinab’s Family

The vlog starts off with a few short clips of the nighttime engagement party before cutting to Zeinab’s sister, Rana Harake, reacting to Ray saying that he’ll be proposing soon. “May blessing ka na!” she tells him. We then see Ray making the rounds to visit Zeinab’s other family members—including her kuya Wessam Harake, her mom, and her dad.

Ray even visited the resting place of her late older sister, Tara Harake, and her late son, baby Moon Harake. “Ate Tara, Moon, paalam po ako sa inyo,” he starts. “Sana makuha natin yung blessing ni Ate Tara and Moon. They’re watching over us, ‘di ba?” he affectionately says as he hugs Zeinab’s son, Lucas Harake.

We also see Ray picking up a huge pear-shaped diamond ring—that he funnily hides in his backpack because he was going to see Zeinab later that day. Thinking in advance, he also already got a smaller ring for when Zeinab doesn’t want to be as flashy. (But it’s still made with a halo of diamonds, of course!)

The Spectacular Set-Up For Zeinab Harake’s Engagement

Now to the extra tear-jerking part! At the engagement venue, Rana talks to Zeinab’s kids, Lucas and Bia Harake, telling them that Ray and their mom are getting married—to which they excitedly react. “Mommy, please say yes!” they both exclaim.

We then see Zeinab arriving at the huge mansion, with the extravagant set-up at the back—but with all the lights off. And even though it was a surprise, she immediately knew something was up. “Uy, bakit kayo ganyan!” she laughs as she stands under rays of light. “Nakakainis kayo.” When all the lights finally go on, she sees the huge sign that says, “MARRY ME” in the middle of the field.

Zeinab makes her way to Ray, who waits for her. But before he starts his speech, Zeinab asks, “Asan yung kids?” We love that they’re always her priority!

Ray then says, “I believe God brought us together as a token of His love for us. I’m truly blessed to call you my best friend, my lover, and my biggest supporter,” he shares—all while Zeinab starts tearing up and laughing. He continues, “Your genuine, loving, compassionate heart are the crown of your beauty.” He then mentions how her family has become his family, too. “You and the kids are my home and I can’t imagine life without y’all.”

“With that being said, I brought all our friends, family, and loved ones to bear witness and ask you one thing: Zeinab Harake, would you make me the happiest man in the world?” Then he kneels before asking, “Will you marry me?” To which, Zeinab excitedly says, “Yes!”

After all the hugging, celebrating, (and crying) with their loved ones, Zeinab and Ray took a went indoors where they talked to the cam for a little bit. “Wag mo kaming sasaktan, ha,” Zeinab softly says. “Ayan na yung pagbabanta!” Rays says. She replies, “Di ako nagbabanta, nag-re-remind lang ako. Especially [for] the kids.”

Zeinab then goes on to reveal that she actually didn’t believe in marriage because of everything that she’s been through. “Alam niyo, guys, ako, sa totoo—alam mo rin naman yan,” she says to Ray, “Hindi ako naniniwala sa kasal dahil na rin sa pinagdaanan ko sa buhay. Pero nung dumating si Ray sa buhay ko, dun ko na-ano yung sarili ko na magse-settle ako sa taong ‘to kasi nakikita ko sa kanya yung future na alam kong maiintindihan niya ako kahit sa pinakamahirap pa na sitwasyon ng buhay natin.”

She adds, “So, sumugal ako. Sumugal ako ngayon with our lives talaga.” She then tells Ray, “Buhay naming tatlo ng bata, binibigay ko sa’yo kasi naniniwala ako sa Diyos, sa’yo, and you deserve it,” Zeinab says. “Deserve mo ang yes.”

Zeinab Harake and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. Quick Relationship Timeline

Zeinab first confirmed that she was in a relationship in September 2022, though she didn’t reveal who she was dating. But then, she clarified in a since-deleted tweet that she wasn’t in a relationship. “‘La pa ko jowa ha. Kumalma kayo, dami n’yo kasi issue. Makasama ko, lahat issue sa inyo eh. Kalmahan lang natin.”

Instagram/zeinab_harake

It made headlines at the time because she had been in an on-again, off-again relationship with rapper Skusta Clee, whose real name is Daryl Ruiz. They announced that they welcomed their baby girl, Bia, on April 28, 2021. Then, in April 2022, Zeinab shared that she lost their second child, baby Moon.

In an interview with Toni Gonzaga in May 2022, Zeinab revealed that she and Daryl broke up while she was pregnant with Moon. She also talked about Daryl’s alleged infidelity while they were together.

Zeinab made it IG official with Ray in May 2023—and they’ve been nothing but happy since then.

We can’t wait to see the happy family celebrate their upcoming wedding!