Zeinab Harake is setting the record straight about her and husband Ray Parks’ viral wedding cake, which had been making headlines for its supposed PHP2 million price tag.
Appearing on Unang Hirit on June 18, 2025, the social media star finally addressed the buzz while preparing sinigang na baka alongside her husband.
“Wag po kayo masyadong naniniwala sa mga repost at post na mga kung anu-anong page,” Zeinab said, referring to the misleading social media claims.
“Hindi po totoo yan, dahil sobrang sayang naman. Napakaganda ng cake. Lumabas online na yung million. Pero ang totoong presyo niyan, mahal, tell them.”
Ray revealed, “PHP120,000 lang po. Very beautiful, but very affordable naman.”
The show-stopping five-foot cake by Honey Glaze Cake—adorned in glittering crystal fondant—was certainly a spectacle, but far from the price circulating online.
Zeinab further expressed in a separate video: “Kasi two million yung lumabas, e. Ang OA naman nun! PHP120K lang sis, ang layo.”
Read: Celebrities spotted at Zeinab Harake and Ray Parks Jr.'s wedding
COOKING AS HUSBAND AND WIFE
While their wedding had all the dreamy flair, domestic life for the newlyweds is still finding its rhythm.
“Actually, wala pang one month,” Zeinab said of their married life.
So new, in fact, that they admitted they hadn’t even cooked for each other yet. “Sobrang busy,” she added with a laugh.
That changed during their Unang Hirit appearance, which doubled as their first-ever attempt to prepare a meal as husband and wife.
Their dish of choice is a shared favorite: sinigang na baka.
“Beef talaga ang favorite naming dalawa,” the 26-year-old celebrity mom explained, while sliding onions into the pot.
“Sinigang na baka is the best. Gusto ko talaga yung sobrang maasim. Ayoko ng matabang.”
With a bubbling pot of beef ribs already simmering, Zeinab and Ray added the classic vegetables one by one: sibuyas, kamatis, gabi, okra, and sitaw.
Zeinab took the lead, wherein at one point, Ray cheers “Asawa ko yan,” as she dropped the ingredients in the pot.
Though still adjusting to married life, the couple’s dynamic was playful and naturally collaborative.
Ray, supportive but hungry, kept a close eye and nose on the progress: “Uy, baka pa lang nangangamoy na.”
Read: Zeinab Harake, nilinaw ang mga isyu sa kasal nila ni Bobby Ray
BEHIND THE SCENES OF ZEINAB AND RAY'S WEDDING
During the cooking segment, Zeinab and Ray—who tied the knot just weeks ago—shared anecdotes from their wedding preparations.
Ray revealed he would fly back and forth from Japan every other week while fulfilling his commitments with the Japan B.League, just to help plan the wedding.
The couple started the full planning process in November 2024, after getting engaged in July.
Zeinab then shared the story behind their viral wedding hashtag, #ZEINABfoundherRAYT1.
While the “right tone” pun drew chuckles online, Zeinab delved into the deeper meaning of their wedding slogan.
“Kasi number one namin si God. Number one yung jersey ni Ray. And number one din yung anniversary namin,” she explained.
Pressed to name the most unforgettable moment of their wedding day, both pointed to the same thing: the prayer before seeing each other after the ceremony.
“Naka-kneel down kami pareho,” Zeinab recalled.
“Sobrang overwhelming. Ang daming pumapasok sa isip ko.
"Sabi ko, ‘Daddy, let’s pray.’ Kasi gusto ko talaga siyang i-surrender kay God—lahat ng nararamdaman ko.”
Read: Details of Zeinab Harake's Michael Cinco wedding gown
Aside from the cake’s cost, several aspects of the wedding also trended online due to overstated claims.
Regarding the paper plate discourse which stemmed from a viral video of principal sponsors Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano eating during the cocktail hour, Zeinab made it a point to correct on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on June 17.
“Kaya may paper plate dahil sa cocktail area, may pica pica kasi. Hindi siya yung sa reception. That’s before the reception, para hindi magutom ang mga bisita,” she said.
The vlogger also opened up about how a generous principal sponsor transformed what was supposed to be an “intimate and simple” ceremony into a lavish celebration.
“Yung venue, from the ground up, five months ginawa. Nahiya kami hindi i-honor yung binigay niyang blessing. Kaya kumuha kami ng best suppliers. The rest, kami na yun.”
And as for pregnancy rumors? A firm “No! Nooo! Saan galing ‘yan?” was her immediate response.
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