Content creator Zeinab Harake has conquered the realms of YouTube and social media with her magnetic presence.
Her impressive stats as of this writing: 13.5 million subscribers on YouTube with over 880 million views, 12 million followers on Facebook, 5 million on Instagram, and 15.2 million on TikTok.
Read related story: For real, Zeinab Harake earning up to PHP7.2M monthly from YouTube?
Zeinab's meteoric rise as a mega-influencer may be attributed to one key factor—her authenticity. It is this genuine quality, of being true to herself and unafraid to expose herself, that has attracted her millions of followers on various social media platforms.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) witnessed this side of her during her photo shoot for PEP Headliner held at the Summit Media office on May 23, 2023.
Not a morning person, Zeinab arrived promptly at her requested hour, around 1 p.m. She wasn't in top form that day as she had then a temporary medical condition called trismus or locked jaw.
Even so, she immersed herself wholly in the photo shoot, not caring for anything else but to get the task at hand well done.
That was actually Zeinab's first shoot as she embarked on her latest venture—a partnership with Aguila Entertainment, the talent management agency founded by industry veteran Becky Aguila.
This collaboration marks her much-anticipated foray into the world of mainstream showbiz.
ZEINAB HARAKE: EARLY FRUSTRATIONS
Zeinab had her artista dream at a young age.
With sheer passion and determination, she zigzagged her way toward making that dream come true. She joined beauty contests, performed at mall events, did some modeling.
As a working student, Zeinab earned money by joining pageants where she impressed the judges with her baton twirling in the talent portion.
She also did some modeling and worked as a "Disney princess" in mall events.
"Nag-start ako ng modeling around 15 years old. Nagra-runway ako, nagpa-pageant ako, nag-Disney princess ako sa malls.
"Yan ang mga raket na ginagawa ko. Nag-usherette ako sa mga brands... sa mga hotels. Nag-bikini contest.
"Dati, nagpa-fire dance rin ako. Kaya kong magpa-ikot ng 6-foot na fire dance. Legit!"
Zeinab exclaimed, "Hindi ako nagdyo-joke! Ang dami ko pang hindi nase-share sa dating buhay ko.
"Naging Binibing Kalikasan 2016 ako sa mga pageant sa school at nakalaban ako hanggang sa national [level].
"Nailaban na din ako ng Philippines sa isang makeup competition. Naging model naman ako sa Singapore noong 2018.
"Sumali din ako ng Binibining Parañaque. Naging third runner-up ako nung 2019. Yun na ang huling pageant ko."
Zeinab added, laughing, "Kung nanalo ako dun [Bibinining Parañaque], panlaban yun ng Miss Earth. Nag-third runner-up ako kasi hindi maayos yung sagot ko."
However, her initial attempts to penetrate showbiz ended in disappointment.
"Merong isang segment dati yung It's Showtime na nag-audition ako. Tapos fire dance yung attack ko.
"Lahat po nang puwede ko pasukan dati ang ginawa ko po. Tapos noong time na yun, na-realize ko na hindi ako pang-artista. Hindi ako pang ganito. So, natigil na.
"Nung time na yun, kasi parang hindi ako binibigyan ng chance sa lahat ng sinusubukan kong auditions.
"Kasi yung nanay ko, pinipila naman talaga ako, e, tapos ine-extra-extra ako before.
"Tapos doon ko na parang naramdaman na, 'Hindi ako pang dito ha.' Ganun yung naramdaman ko noon.
"Tapos may mga ina-attendan namin mga pag-i-extra. Parang sobrang hirap ng sitwasyon ko that time.
"Parang sabi ko sa sarili ko, 'Parang hindi ako pang dito.'"
ON CHOOSING HER CAREER PATH: VLOGGING
Although Zeinab was already earning her own money she still received some support from her father.
"Solo ko na po yung mga income ko na sa pagmu-model o sa pagba-band ko, sa lahat ng mga nira-racket ko, gano'n. Siyempre meron pa rin po support si dad noon before."
But then she faced a pivotal moment when her father presented her with a difficult ultimatum: prioritize her studies or pursue her budding career.
"Graduate talaga ako ng senior high. Pero nung pumasok na ko noong vlogging career, noong 2019, pinapili pa niya ako, e, kung ito ba talaga yung gusto ko.
"Or kung gusto ko lang gawin na mag-aaral, enjoy-in yung life, magpunta sa iba't ibang bansa. Iyon yung pinapili ng daddy ko sa akin.
"Noong pinili ko yung vlogging career at age 20, naging independent na ako. Hindi na talaga ako nanghingi ng pera sa kanya."
More than that, her earnings from vlogging have gone a long way.
Zeinab said, "So, parang kung ano yung mga nakukuha kong blessings sa field ko, ayun na po yung parang nagpa-maintain sa life ko, sa buong pamilya ko, sa buong team ko, provider na din ng family, nakapagpa-aral ng kapatid."
Asked if she has plans of going back to school, she admitted, "Gusto ko po mag-aaral, pero gusto ko munang enjoy-in kasi sayang naman po yung meron akong ngayon.
"Gusto ko lang siyang enjoy na enjoy-in para mas makapag-provide n magandang buhay sa mga anak ko.
"Tapos saka ko na lang sila sasabayan sa pag-aaral. Ayun talaga yung plano ko. So sacrifice muna."
Zeinab said that she would prefer to study Business Management, in line with the Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) track she took up in senior high school.
REGRETS ONLY
Controversies being part and parcel of public figures, it did not surprise that Zeinab had been embroiled in ruckuses that divided opinions among her followers and ignited the interest of the wider public.
Not one to back away from difficult situations, Zeinab dealt with them, head-on.
But there was one incident that she would have preferred to "edit out" of her life where she broke down during a Facebook live stream.
It happened on March 9, 2019, following her first breakup with rapper-songwriter Skusta Clee, whose real name is Daryl Borja Ruiz.
In the video, she was visibly upset, shedding tears, and venting her anger at her then-boyfriend—an emotional outburst triggered by rumors that, to her eternal regret, unhinged Zeinab.
Zeinab told PEP.ph, "[Kung] bata ako, halimbawa ako, yung anak ko, makikita ko si Zeinab yung nagla-live sa kotse tapos ganun-ganun yung mga pinagsasabi niya nun.
"Parang hindi din po ako matutuwa. Kagaya nga po nang sabi ko, hindi lahat po nang nagawa ko masaya kung nagawa ko siya.
"May mga nagawa akong hindi nakaka-proud. And kung kayang baguhin yun, why not? Pero hindi e, nandiyan na yan. Face it. Truth hurts."
Not done airing her regret, she added, "Tapos parang sa 19 years old, 20 years old nang gagaling yung mga ganong salita, parang hindi po talaga siya maganda.
"Kahit ako 24 years old ngayon, tapos sasabihin ko yun? Parang hindi po magandang sabihin yun."
And then in 2022, there was her feud with Wilbert Tolentino, a vlogger, entrepreneur, and talent manager to some celebrities.
Screenshots of their conversations surfaced on social media in October of that year, revealing Zeinab's disparaging comments about Ivana Alawi, Robi Domingo, and Sanya Lopez.
At the height of the controversy, Zeinab owned up to her mistakes and apologized to all the personalities who got dragged into the mess.
Reflecting on this tumultuous episode, Zeinab learned the crucial lesson of being at peace with everyone given the unpredictability of interpersonal dynamics.
She expressed, "Kasi kapag minsan akala mo okay ka sa lahat, then tapos hindi pala, iba mo siya mati-take, e.
"Parang minsan i-expect natin na okay tayo, tapos may ganung mangyayari. Hindi mo alam paano mo maite-take ng maayos kasi hindi mo alam saan nanggaling. Ayun lang naman.
"Pero, hangga't maaari, sa lahat ng tao sa paligid ko ngayon, gusto ko okay. Kasi ayoko na magkaroon ng mga isyung kung anu-ano."
Zeinab admitted that she was deeply affected with how such a personal conflict got blown out of proportion.
"Lagi na lang ba lahat ng pagkakagulo or any maliliit na issue sa media natin dadalhin?
"Di ba, dapat, mas pinag-uusapan yun in private? Yun lang naman ang akin.
"And kahit naman nagkaroon ng sakitan, kung mag-uusap kayo sa private, madadaan niyo naman talaga sa maayos na usapan.
"Kung kaya magpatawad ng dalawang puso... Wala naman po akong pineke."
Even when the stormy episode with Wilbert had died down, Zeinab said she considered quitting because of it.
"Noong time na yun, siguro pagpasok ng 2023, parang hindi ko na alam kung mag-stop na ba ako or what.
"Pero dumating yung time na na-realize ko sa sarili ko na, ‘Ano bang nireklamo mo? Hindi mo ba nakikita kung gano'n sila karaming umaasa at naniniwala sa yo?
"'Kung gaano karami yung nagmi-message sa yo na napapasaya mo sila every time nalulungkot sila.
"'Bakit ka titigil? Dahil may taong nakapagparamdam sa yo ng ganyan? Bakit kailangan mo idamay yung ibang tao?'"
Talking about how she surpassed that controversy, Zeinab elaborated, "So sila yung pinaka nilu-look forward ko ngayon. And sila ang pinaka gawing kong goal: yung mga fans ko.
"Kasi kapag ginawa kong goal yun para sa kanila at nakarating ako kung saan pa ako makakarating, wala ako ibang pagpapasalamatan kundi sila.
"Dahil sila ang naging stepping stone ko sa lahat ng makakamit ko in the future."
She later mended fences with Wilbert, and they have long since gotten over their conflict.
How is her relationship with Wilbert now?
Zeinab answered, "Okay naman po. Wala naman na pong any ano sa amin. And sana magtuluy-tuloy na okay. Kasi yun naman din ang gusto ko: peace of mind.
"Hindi lang para sa akin, kundi pati na para sa kanya."
Read related story: Wilbert Tolentino speaks about reconciliation with Zeinab Harake months after word war
NEW BEGINNINGS
On to happier times, the 24-year-old social media influencer took charge of her life and focused her energy into what she knows best.
She disclosed that she has been single-handedly creating content for her social media accounts.
"Opo, lahat po ng content ko, wala pong tulong yun. Edit, content, content flow, video flow, lahat po yun ako po.
"Lahat po nang nangyayari, lahat ng makikita niyo sa media hanggang itong 2023, ako po yun.
"Pero, ngayong pumasok na yung game, siyempre gusto ko rin naman magkaroon na ng tamang guide.
"Kasi may papamali-mali din minsan yung pagbibida-bida ko sa sarili ko."
Now that she has entered mainstream media, would she say then that 2023 has been so far her year for new beginnings?
Zeinab told PEP.ph, "Opo, feeling ko, ito talaga yung parang calling ko after ng lahat nang nangyari sa akin.
"For almost four years, ako lang yung humawak ng name ko, kung ano yung kinilala ng lahat.
"This time parang kailangan ko na ng help para katulong ko kasi hindi ko na kinakaya. Hindi lang din siya sa katawan ko nagre-reflect, pati yung utak ko.
"Kasi medyo may mga pinagdadaanan naman din talaga tayo sa buhay, lahat.
"So ngayon, feeling ko, entering showbiz, parang isa din ito sa makakatulong sa akin maging better na tao pagdating sa ibang tao kasi nagkakaroon na ako ng trauma."
She revealed more, "Lagi po kasi akong nasa bahay. Taong bahay talaga ko.
"Hindi ako lalabas kung wala akong work. So ngayon, parang nagkakaroon na ako ng takot sa mga tao.
"Ngayon, gusto kong i-try na lahat ng tao pakikikisamahan mo, hindi ka maiilang kahit kanino. Hindi mo kalaban iyang mga 'yan.
"Mga makakasama mo lang sila sa life, pero hindi mo kalaban niyang mga 'yan.
"Ang kalaban mo talaga sarili mo—hindi sila. Yun yung gusto kong i-push sa sarili ko, sa mindset ko na overthink minsan."
What pushed her to sign up with Aguila Entertainment?
"Need ko talaga ng help and this is where Kat and her team comes in," explained Zeinab, referring to Katrina Aguila, the daughter of her manager Becky Aguila.
Kat is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Aguila Entertainment; meanwhile, Jan Kristoffer Enriquez is the talent management company's new general manager.
She said further, "Actually, hindi pa nga kami nagkikita ni Tita Bec, nag-sign na ako sa sobrang trust ko.
"Alam kong hindi nila ako pababayaan. So entering showbiz, napa-oo na nila ako.
"Noong una kasi sabi ko, 'Puwede po ba management lang?' Sabi nila, 'Hindi maraming magandang plan for you.'"
Read related story: Millennials Kat Aguila, Jan Enriquez now at the helm of Aguila Entertainment
Zeinab reasoned, "And naisip ko din naman na hindi naman po 100 percent full-time, e.
"Kumbaga, lahat nang kayang maging project, gawin nang maayos. Huwag ipapahiya yung sarili. Ayoko rin po silang mapahiya dahil sa akin.
"Siyempre, yung pressure, hindi lang din sa akin, pati sa management ko at sa ibang-ibang artists na kasama rin namin sa management. Kailangan ko talagang galingan.
"Kaya ako napa-enter ng showbiz kasi grabe sila maniwala sa akin. Yun talaga yun."
"Hindi ako naniniwala sa sarili ko. Minsan may mga moments talaga na ako medyo namamaliit ko yung sarili ko.
"Pero may mga taong magpapa-realize sa yo na, 'Ito yung kaya mong magawa. Ano bang sinasabi mo?'"
INTO THE WORLD OF ACTING
Prior to signing up with Aguila Entertainment, Zeinab has been starring in the music videos of her friends such as Donnalyn Bartolome's "Di Lahat" in 2019 and Wilbert Ross' "Maaari ba?" in 2019 and "Langga" in 2022.
Zeinab has taken her budding acting skill to the next level with the guidance of the esteemed acting coach Ana Feleo, who is also a Kapuso actress.
Excited about her progress, Zeinab was practically grasping for words as she described her experience as a trainee in acting during her sessions with Anna.
She said, "Grabe, like, hindi ko po talaga... Akala ko yung acting workshop, may ibibigay lang sa inyo na ganito [iaarte]... Hindi, dadalhin ka pala niya sa ibang mundo.
"So kung ano yung magiging character mo sa isang gaganapan mo, ayun talaga yung mararamdaman ng buong pagkatao mo.
"And nakakatuwa naman kay Miss Anna, talagang gina-guide ka niya, kasi ayaw kaniyang mawala o lumubog dun sa [character].
"Kasi grabe yung iniyak ko nun. Parang 30 minutes ako umiiyak nang nakahiga ako.
"May pinapasok lang siya sa aking ano... 'O, ganito, ganyan. Tapos huwag kang magsasalita, i-ungul mo lang.'
"Grabe yung ungul ng iyak ko. 30 minutes ako ganun, so sobrang natutuwa ako."
Zeinab said she did not mind the pressure of being coached to improve her acting.
Rather than being overwhelmed, she felt empowered, going so far as to relate it to her mental health.
"Nakaka-pressure, pero after nun, parang ako nagti-therapy din. Mararamdaman ko na parang nagti-therapy ako.
"And nakakatulong din to. Hindi lang din para sa career na makukuha ko, kundi din para po sa mental health ko.
"Kasi mapa-process mo na kung saan mo ilalagay every emotions mo, e."
When she officially becomes an actress, what genre is she interested in?
"Rom-com or drama talaga. Okay sa akin ng rom-com, kasi yun naman po ang first plan nila sa akin. Pero ang gusto ko talaga yung mga something creative...
"Suspense na medyo parang hindi makikita na kayang gawin ng isang Zeinab Harake yung emotion or expression ng gano'n."
She specified, "Mga nakakatakot, parang The Glory yung atake," referring to Netflix's revenge-themed Korean drama titled The Glory.
"Yung parang sasabihin ng tao, 'Parang hindi si Zeinab! Nakakatakot!'"
As for taking on drama, "Kaya ko rin. Keri din sa akin."
Moreover, Zeinab said, "Support rin ako sa babae-sa-babae kasi may pagka-ganyan rin naman ako."
Without batting an eyelash, she declared, "Lahat ng field ko, LGBT," referring to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
"Alam naman ng tao, alam naman ng public na bisexual din ako. Kaya support din ako. Kung bibigyan ako ng gano'ng role, lavarn! [Laban!]."
How about doing action scenes?
"Action scenes, yes po. Yung mga patayan. Ay! Ang mga gusto ko talaga yung mga sobrang ma-thrill.
"Yung mga, halimbawa, kinulong ako sa basement ng four days," she said with a laugh.
Without being asked, she volunteered, apropos of nothing else, "Ako po 24 years old pero yung utak ko hindi talaga pang 24 dahil sobrang dami na rin ng kailangan kong asikasuhin.
"Mas gusto ko yung mature-mature. Ayoko din nung [characters na] gagawin akong baby-baby girl."
FANGIRLING HER FAVORITES
Among the celebrities that she has already met, who struck her the most?
"Marian Rivera talaga," replied Zeinab in a heartbeat.
"Ano yan, one to one hundred. Kasi sobrang lodi ko siya," she explained. "Lodi" is a Filipino slang for idol.
She continued, "Noong unang beses pala na nakita ko siya, hindi ako nakalapit sa kanya.
"Parang ako nakakita ng Mama Mary. Parang si Mama Mary ang nakita ko, hindi ako nakalapit kasi na-starstruck talaga ako."
She also named Yassi Pressman and explained, "Kahit friend ko si Yassi, grabe yung pagka starstruck ko sa babaeng iyon."
If she can pick her own love team partner, whom will she pick?
Zeinab screamed, "Ay! Si Papa P!," she laughed, giddily referring to Piolo Pascual.
"Tinanong nga niya yung TikTok ko, dinuet niya tapos sobrang nag-trending. Sabi nga daw magkaroon kami ng collab [collaboration].
"Tapos nag-follow kami sa isa't isa. Finallow niya ako. Kilig na kilig ako. Siyempre, Papa P yun.
"Tapos, si John Lloyd [Cruz]. Sobrang loding-lodi si John Lloyd. Sobrang idol.
"Tapos, third ko siguro, Ian Veneracion kasi medyo gusto ko po nga."
Read related stories:
- Wilbert Tolentino calls Zeinab Harake "user, pa-victim, bait-baitan"; accuses her of badmouthing other celebrity vloggers
- Wilbert Tolentino details what he knows about Zeinab Harake-Skusta Clee breakup
SPARKS FLY
Apart from restarting her showbiz career, it seems Zeinab is also getting a fresh start in love. Zeinab is currently being linked to former PBA player Bobby Ray Parks Jr. after being spotted together on multiple occasions.
In an Instagram post on June 3, 2023, Bobby Ray posted a photo showing matching cross symbol tattoos on their thumbs and wrote this simple caption "Beloved" with a black heart emoji.
Zeinab wrote in the comments section, "I [heart emoji] u."
Replied Bobby Ray, "I [heart emoji] U MORE."
How did Zeinab meet the Filipino-American basketball player?
"Sa friend ko, common friend lang namin," she answered.
She crossed paths with Bobby Ray through her best friend Melissa Enriquez, who happens to be the sister of RR Enriquez.
Notably, RR is currently in a relationship with professional basketball player Jayjay Helterbrand, who coincidentally shares a friendship with Bobby Ray.
During the interview, Zeinab revealed that Bobby Ray courted her for three months.
"Three months na siyang nauuntog sa wall ko. Oo, lagi na sinasabi may wall daw ako," she said with a laugh, adding she was just being cautious.
Zeinab explained, "Kasi may trust issues ako sa life, e. Pero yun nga, hindi siya dapat madamay doon. Kaya binibigyan ko po ng time.
"Uulitin ko, binibigyan ko ng time para hindi tayo maging unfair sa tao.
"Ako, tingin ko, hindi naman din ako susubok kung hindi ako ready. Ayoko naman makasakit. Hindi ko kaya talagang makasakit ng ibang tao.
"Ayokong ibigay yung mga paasa na yan. Hindi po ako pang ganun, e.
"Naiintindihan niya kasi siyempre alam naman niya may mga priorities ako sa life, career, mga anak ko."
Zeinab has a two-year-old daughter named Bia with Skusta Clee and also the adoptive mother of a boy named Lucas who will turn 6 this July.
With that, Zeinab and Bobby Ray have worked out a setup suitable to them both, especially him being away as part of the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in Japan.
She said, "Eto sa 'min, sakto lang din kasi magkalayo kami nga. Nasa Japan siya, nandito ako.
"Tingin ko parang perfect din na yung escape namin sa mga kanya-kanya naming mundo is kaming dalawa."
LESSONS ON LOVE
It will be recalled that Zeinab broke up with Skusta Clee in 2022 amid allegations of cheating. She said he cheated on her during her second pregnancy, which ended in a miscarriage.
Any worries about her past heartbreak being repeated?
Zeinab declared, "...Of cheating? Siguro, ano, hindi na ako natatakot.
"Hindi na ako natatakot kasi feeling ko kung gagawin sa akin ng kahit sinong lokohin pa ako, hindi na ako para magsalita pa, e.
"Tatanggapin ko na lang at magmu-move on ako. Hindi ko na kailangan pagsiksikan ang sarili ko.
"Kasi naniniwala talaga ako na kapag ang tao, nagawang saktan ka na isang beses, uulit-ulitin niya po yun, e.
"Sa akin ito ha, ilang beses ko na sumubok na magbigay na magbigay.
"Kung dadating man ang point na lolokohin mo ako, bago mo pa ako lokohin, sabihin mo na lang para hindi ako magalit sa yo. Ako na ang aalis."
She emphasized: "Hindi kita hahabulin. Hindi kita habulin."
Read related stories:
- Zeinab Harake on final straw that led to breakup with Skusta Clee: "Doon ko nahuli sa laptop."
- Zeinab Harake unfollows partner Skusta Clee on IG; tweets, "Help me out of this hell."
What are the qualities a Zeinab Haraka looks for in a guy?
"Siguro matangkad: number one. Number two yung kayang tanggapin yung Zeinab Harake.
"Beginning naman na 'to. Hindi naman na natatapos ang [pag-evolve ko] pero yung dating ako, yung kayang tanggapin lahat ng naging ako.
"Tangkad at kayang tanggapin ako. Yun lang."
Based on her experience, she offered a love advice.
"Make sure na parang kapag magmamahal ka, hindi ka magiging unfair. Yun kasi yung lagi kong sinasabi sa sarili ko. Parang takot ako, oo, pero kailangan hindi ka magiging unfair dun sa tao."
She cautioned, "Hindi puwedeng mahal mo lang yung sarili mo.
"Marunong ka dapat mag-balance and kapag nahanap mo na yung tingin mong tamang tao para sa yo, huwag mo na pakawalan."
And pleaded, "Kaya huwag niyo na ako pakawalan! "Feeling ko, tamang tao ako, e. Nagiging mali lang kasi mali yung nakaka partner mo. Ganun lang.
"Tamang tao ako sa maling taong napuntahan ko."
Her advice on moving on, "Hindi naman po talaga natatapos ang life natin sa isang pagkakamali or isang struggle sa life.
"Hindi porke't may nararanasan kang tingin mo makakapagpatigil na sa lahat ng ginagawa mo, e, matatapos na. Mali ka dun. Marami pa. Maraming marami pa.
"So keep going lang po. Wala kang ibang gagawin kung hindi tumuloy dahil hindi ka nga puwede mapagod sa mundong ito."
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jo-Ann Maglipon
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Karen Pagsolingan
SHOOT PRODUCERS: Nikko Tuazon and Frances Karmel Bravo
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Igi Talao
PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Capuchino
PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT: Jobo Antonio Nacpil
STYLIST: Patty Yap
ASSISTANT STYLIST: Santino Elijah
DESIGNERS: Jhobes Estrella (white dress), Ish Barrozo (crop top and skirt), Maison Soriano (sheer tulle dress)
MAKEUP: Mariah Santos
HAIR: Arvin Santos
VIDEO PRODUCERS: Rommel Llanes, John Mariano, Micah Moleno
TIKTOK PRODUCER: Nikko Tuazon
Special thanks to Katrina Aguila and Jan Enriquez of Aguila Entertainment
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