Hajji Alejandro diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, recovering after surgery

Hajji Alejandro. Image: Instagram/@lara summer via @racheljalejandro

Alynna Velasquez, Hajji Alejandro’s longtime girlfriend, confirmed that the OPM icon is battling stage 4 colon cancer, revealing he recently underwent surgery and suffered from an infection but is now back home.

Velasquez disclosed Hajji’s health condition in an interview with broadcaster Julius Babao, as seen in a vlog on the latter’s YouTube channel on Thursday, March 20.

Velasquez recalled how Hajji, 70, was in Vigan for a show when he suddenly felt bloated and could not breathe or eat. He underwent a CT scan and was informed by the doctor that he has cancer.

“[Ang initial findings] ay stage 4 colon cancer agad,” she said, adding that the doctor told them that Hajji needed to undergo an immediate operation at the time.

Hajji then underwent surgery and appeared well post-operation. However, days later, Hajji had seizures and was rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to an infection.

After a week, Hajji was moved to a regular room, underwent therapy and was able to talk again.

“Today, he’s home. Meron lang siyang walker kasi nag-aaral lang ulit siyang [gumalaw] kasi nawalan na siya ng muscles e. He’s incapacitated…pero ang ganda pa rin ng memory at boses niya,” Velasquez said.

Velasquez admitted that it came to a point where she felt like Hajji was not with them anymore because he was already sedated and intubated. She nonetheless prayed hard for his healing which, she said, God granted.

Hajji’s condition circulating on social media

Velasquez then addressed the earlier reports and videos of then-hospitalized Hajji that circulated on social media.

“I was blamed by the family,” she disclosed. “The family wanted it to be private and I respect it. Pero nung naging critical si Hajji, I had to tell someone, I had to tell his best friend.”

Hajji’s friend then apparently shared the singer’s condition through a group and it became viral. Velasquez also admitted that she was the one who took the video of Hajji and his mom in the hospital room, which was earlier shared on social media as well.

Despite receiving “blame” from Hajji’s family, Velasquez underscored her gratitude because many people offered prayers for the OPM singer which she believes contributed to his recovery.

Leaving Hajji’s house

Velasquez also revealed during the interview that she already packed her things and left Hajji’s house to give way to his family in caring for him, after “something not so good happened” between them.

“Nagko-conflict kami sa opinyon ng isa’t isa… I apologize for whatever I said but I just got hurt, and I feel like Hajji has been my partner for 27 years, I think that kilalang-kilala ko na kasi siya,” she explained, but opted not to share specific details about their conflict.

Velasquez nonethless stressed that she understands and respects his children, as she acknowledged that she is not his wife and she is “just a girlfriend.” She also noted that all is well between her and Hajji’s daughter, singer-actress Rachel Alejandro, although they have yet to talk about the matter.

Velasquez further said that while she is currently away from Hajji and has yet to communicate with him, she is “relieved” and that she still loves him very much.

She added that she still plans on visiting him sometime, “pag na-accept na ako ng mga dapat mag-accept sa akin.”

Message to Hajji

Addressing Hajji, Velasquez said, “Love, if you’re watching this, pareho tayong nagugulat sa mga nangyayari like what you’re going through right now. I just want you to know that I am with you. All the pain that you feel, I feel it two hundred times because I know you… But then, things happened and kung ano man tayo ngayon, it’s okay… Sana gumaling ka na, and I know you will; I know you will sing again.”

“Isa lang ang pinanggalingan nating lahat and pare-pareho lang tayong lahat. Isa lang naman pupuntahan natin, ‘di ba, love? Magkikita tayong lahat do’n and maybe then baka maramdaman ko na ‘yung love mo sa akin. But I love you, I love your family, from my heart,” she added.