MANILA — July 5 was a life-changing date for newly engaged couple Zeinab Harake and Bobby Ray Parks Jr.

Speaking to ABS-CBN News a week after the proposal, the couple shared details on how it went and the preparations made by Ray.

Zeinab described it as, “Sobrang magical. Pag nakikita ko yung video, yung pictures, lahat ng inupload namin sa social media, hanggang ngayon hindi ako makapaniwala. Ginawa mo talaga sa akin yun? Magical talaga siya. Magical with love.”

Ray said it all started with the ring. The couple didn’t disclose the fineness and the purity of the ring, but it wasn’t an heirloom but a customized new ring Ray ordered from the US.

“Una yung ring, inorder ko na siya noong February pa lang. Actually, from there that’s when the ball started rolling.”

He continued, “Kinausap ko na yung organizers namin. A month and a half prior to the date, which is July 5th, kinausap ko na rin yung astrologist niya to make sure that the stars are aligned.”

The 25-year-old digital content creator is very much into astrology. She believes that the universe and the stars will align themselves if something is meant to happen for her.

She revealed, “Nagpa-astro ako nung na-meet ko siya (Ray). Five days pa lang kami magkausap, hiningi ko pa birth certificate niya, ‘bakit kaya niya hinihingi birth certificate ko?’ Pero sinabi ko sa kanya, gusto kong makita kung compatible ba tayong dalawa. Lumabas naman. Nasa future ko siya.”

Ray replied, “July 5th was in her stars, to be honest. That was the date that was given to me that stood out. And I just wanted to honor her when it comes to that kasi she’s so big when it comes to her stars.”

He took the cue from there and organized the magical proposal with their coordinators, and he also started asking permission and blessing from Zeinab’s closest circle of friends and family members.

“Slowly, I started to bring it up to people around her. Rana, (Zeinab’s sister) huge part of everything. For Tito Mike, for giving me the blessing.”

He added, “I was so excited to get the proposal over with, ‘cause I’m tired of hiding it from her. Hindi talaga ako magaling magtago. I’m an open book.”

While the 31-year-old professional basketball player confessed that he is an open book with everything when it comes to Zeinab, he just really patiently covered everything up so as not to spoil the surprise.

“Pinaalam niya isa-isa, nang hindi ko alam. Kasi nag-wo-workout siya every morning, so sa workout routine niya sinasama yung pagpaplano. Tulog kasi ako, hindi ako morning person.” says Zeinab.  

“May idea naman ako, kasi hindi ko alam, kasi lagi naman niyang sinasabi sa vlogs. Tsaka tinatanong niya ako kung magpropose ba ako, oo ka ba? So may idea talaga ako.”

As for the wedding date, the couple said “Next year for sure. Wala lang kaming ibibigay na final date, pero next year is for sure.”

“Intimate, but gusto ko kasama pa rin si universe, which is ang nature outdoor. Gusto ko yung ramdam ng mundo yung pagmamahalan namin.”

After the wedding, they plan to construct their dream house. 

They already bought a lot where the dream house will be built. Asked if there are family plans already, Zeinab said a baby will follow after the house construction.