A quick guide to understanding the Zeinab Harake issue

So–let’s all go down this rabbit hole!

Photo screen grab from Zeinab Harake’s live

Photo screengrab from Wilbert Tolentino’s live

On the night of October 23, vlogger Wilbert Tolentino, released a 20-minute vlog titled ‘Ang Rebelasyon’ (The Revelation). The video covers the supposed issue–which most of us probably didn’t know–between Wilbert and another social media personality, Zeinab Harake.

The video sparked a series of live videos by the personalities mentioned. And needless to say, it was chaotic.

Obviously, there’s a lot to unpack in all of this. There’s a crazy lore about how these influencers connect to one another and how their opinions can affect the other. This is just a brief summary of what had happened–our attempt at breaking down what happened so you, POP! readers, can follow:

The ‘main’ characters

The ‘main’ characters of this mess are Wilbert Tolentino and Zeinab Harake. Both of them are social media personalities, but they weren’t enemies to begin with. On the contrary, there was a time when they considered each other as good friends.

Aside from being a vlogger, Wilbert Tolentino is a businessman who owns several entertainment bars. According to him, he started vlogging to have an ‘edge’ against other owners by having a YouTube channel.

For Zeinab Harake, she used to compete in pageants before, but what boosted her popularity was her relationship with the controversial rapper, Skusta Clee (Daryl Borja) of Ex Battalion. She was able to break through to mainstream media thanks to some TV guestings.

Wilbert and Zeinab’s relationship started when Wilbert asked for Zeinab’s help in establishing his online presence. This led to a series of collaborations and off-cam mentorship by Zeinab for Wilbert.

Wilbert vs Zeinab

The issue seemingly started and came to light when Zeinab and her group ignored and unfollowed Wilbert on their social media accounts, for reasons still to be determined.

According to Tolentino, he reached out to Zeinab’s camp to iron things out, but they were not responsive. Zeinab justified that after they ignored and unfollowed Wilbert, all of his messages went straight to message requests and they were not being notified by it.

Then came a lengthy Facebook post by Zeinab, which Wilbert interpreted that it was about him

Zeinab, in her live video, denied that the post, intended only for her friends, was about Wilbert.

“Yung post ko po nung oct. 13 ay hindi po about sa kanya o sa kanila” (My post last oct. 13 was not about him or them), she said. “Mamatay man alam ng lahat ng tao sa paligid ko na hindi yon para sa kanila” (cross my heart, It wasn’t about him, and all the people around me know that it wasn’t about him or them).

Why did it blow up?

Even though the initial conflict was about Zeinab and Wilbert, the initial video released by Wilbert contains screenshots of his conversation with Zeinab that mentions other personalities. The messages from Zeinab were a little too not pleasant, especially with regards to some of the people who were close to Zeinab.

She has some specific remarks regarding each personality, which she gave to Wilbert as a warning when doing collab videos with other people:

Here are the people who were mentioned in the video:

– Hipon (Herlene Budol)
– Madam Inutz (Daisy Lopez)
– Makagago (Mark Jayson Warnakulahewa)
– Makagwapo (Christian Merck Grey)
– Toni Fowler and her family
– Whamos Cruz
– Jamill (Jayzam Manabat and Camille Trinidad)
– Alex Gonzaga
– Jomar Lovena
– Ivana Alawi
– Donalyn Bartolome
– Jelai Andres
– Sanya lopez
– Robi Domingo
– Melissa Enriquez
– Lantis Espiritu
– Sachzna Laparan

via Wilbert Tolentino Youtube video

As of writing, not all of the people have reacted to the issue, but some did express their side of the conflict.

For Toni Fowler, her main concern was the involvement of her family. She also mentioned that she’s also wary of the people she trusts.

“Ang punto ko lang naman dito, kaya hindi ako nakikipag collab basta basta kung may reasons ka may reasons din ako” (My point is, if you have reasons to not collab with other people, I also have mine.) Toni said in her live video.

Madam Inutz also did a live video last october 24, for her, only those who mentioned should react to the issue. She was offended by Zeinab’s remarks to her

“Kasi bawat isa satin walang karapatan hadlangan ang pangarap ng iba” (No one has the right to hinder the dreams of others) The Ex-PBB Housemate said in her live video “Nandito ka na oh, eto palang ako” (You’re already up here, compare to me). She added.

Zeinab, in her private conversation with Wilbert, said that Madam Inutz’s fame is only good for at least a week.

Sachzna also did a live video expressing how she was hurt based on what she heard.

“Nakaka sad lang kasi, nagtiwala ka” (It’s just so sad, because you trusted them), she said in her 8 minute video.

Zeinab also commented on TV Host, Robi Domingo, saying that Robi doesn’t have a (big) market.

Robi responded in a humorous way:

“Akala mo lang wala, pero MERON, MERON, MERON!” 😭😭😭

Ctto. pic.twitter.com/OjzXdiys7W

— Robi Domingo (@robertmarion) October 24, 2022

Kaya naman pala 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/3dknU0Kq2e

— Robi Domingo (@robertmarion) October 25, 2022

The Aftermath

The day after the series of live videos, Zeinab apologized to everyone who were involved in the issue through a Facebook post (and not through a Notes app screenshot, as most influencers would have it), claiming accountability on what she said.

(Learn to move on and forgive, thank you for all the lessons, we will be better people if we choose to stir away from mistakes. Again, sorry and thank you for everyone)

Toni also posted their conversation

Wilbert did another live video talking about the allegations thrown at him.

The Supreme Court of Social Media

People also expressed their thoughts on what happened.

Some called out Wilbert for breaching the trust of Zeinab.