Zeinab Harake and Ray Parks Jr. celebrate legal adoption of children Lucas and Bia

Content creator Zeinab Harake and basketball player Ray Parks Jr. are celebrating a milestone in their family life as they completed the legal adoption of Zeinab’s children, Lucas and Bia, allowing them to officially share the Parks surname.

In an almost hour-long vlog, the couple documented the emotional family moment after years of processing the adoption, sharing their happiness as they finally reached a goal that meant so much to them.

“After a long time of process, pupunta tayong (National Authority For Child Care) kasama ang mga bata dahil legally Parks na kaming tatlo. Period to that!” the couple shared.

Zeinab shared that it had long been her dream to share the same surname as her children, a goal that finally became possible after she married Ray in June 2025.

She also expressed her gratitude to her husband for embracing Lucas and Bia as his own children when he asked her to marry him.

“Thank you to Daddy Ray kasi noong tinanong niya ako para pakasalan ako, hindi lang ako yung pinakasalan niya pati yung mga bata. Thank you for being a great father and talagang may paninindigan,” Zeinab said.

Ray also expressed: “Isang karangalan. It takes a wonderful woman to allow me to lead and to be the head of the family.”

Zeinab recalled that she had already tried to process Lucas’s adoption when she was 22 and raising him as a single mother. However, she was unable to proceed at the time because she had not yet reached the required age of 25.

After years of waiting and eventually building a life with Ray, the couple resumed the adoption process for Lucas and Bia, including the legal changes that would allow the children to carry Ray’s surname.

“Since 2022 to now, after ng kasal namin, June 2025, mula noon inasikaso na namin. Even before pa ng kasal, inasikaso na namin. Nagvisit na kami sa social workers, (undergo) psych tests and medical tests. Mabusisi talaga and maraming requirements,” Zeinab explained.

For the couple, the milestone goes beyond having the same family name. Ray emphasized that legally adopting the children would also give them a greater sense of security and belongingness for their kids.

“Naging protective din siya for the child, More than anything like pamana or identity nila, it’s good na they have the sense of security, na we are one unit, one family. Nakakatuwa rin na alam nila and they have thought about this, “ Ray said.

The couple also shared that they had been honest with their children about their family situation, explaining things in ways they could understand at their young age.

Zeinab said they had already spoken to Lucas about the adoption and were prepared to have the same conversation with Bia when the time was right.

“Kinausap na namin si Lucas. Si Bia mahaba habang usapin ito pero we’re not scared to tell her the truth…Bago pa sa ibang tao manggaling, mas okay na sa amin manggaling nag ganitong bagay and syaka ino-open namin sa mga bata ngayon na kahit may mga bad kayo nagagawa as long as nanggagaling sa inyo, be honest. As long as napaguusapan as parents and kids, okay sa amin,” Zeinab said.

The experience also gave the couple a deeper realization of the adoption process in the Philippines and the people who help families navigate its requirements. They shared their hopes for a smoother process for prospective adoptive parents, recalling the emotional challenges they faced along the way.

“Almost 5 years. Yung kay Bia, isang taon lang pero kay Lucas limang taon. Maraming luha ito, maraming iyak na nangyari sa bahay and sa meetings. Yung mga threats, mga tanong na ang sakit sakit sa puso pero now ko lang masasabi na  lahat ng hirap, sa dulo worth it siya,” Zeinab expressed.

To mark the occasion, the family of four visited the agency and rang the Bell of Joy, celebrating the completion of the long-awaited process.

“Finally we are Parks na!” the happy family said.

In the succeeding clips, Zeinab documented receiving the children’s updated birth certificates reflecting their surnames, followed by their passports. The family also celebrated finally being able to travel to Japan to support Ray.

Overwhelmed by the moment, Zeinab reflected on how the milestone had once been only a dream for her: “Nakakaiyak naman ito. Dati pangarap ko lang ito. Lucas Harake Parks. Zebbiana Harake Parks. Thank you, Lord.”

Zeinab first adopted Lucas when she was 18 years old. She later welcomed her daughter Bia in 2021 with rapper Skusta Clee, her former partner.