Hajji Alejandro, OPM legend and balladeer, dead at 70
Hajji Alejandro. Image: @lara summer via @racheljalejandro
Hajji Alejandro has died of complications due to stage 4 colon cancer, his family confirmed. He was 70 years old.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad and Son, Angelito ‘Hajji’ T. Alejandro. At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves thris tremendous loss. We appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time,” the statement from Girlie Rodis, family friend and longtime manager of Hajji’s daughter Rachel Alejandro, reads.
He was survived by his three children, singer-actress Rachel, chef Barni Alejandro and Mojofly drummer Ali Diaz Alejandro.
In her Instagram, Barni offered a song for her “Daddywaps.”
“I love you, Daddywaps… I’m gonna miss you forever,” she said as she sang lines from Alejandro’s hit song “Ang Lahat Ng Ito’y Para Sa’Yo,” with lyrics, “Ang lahat ng ito’y para sa’yo. Luha at tagumpay, dulot lahat sa’yo. Lahat ng himig at awitin, lahat ng isip at damdamin, handog ko lahat, alay ko lahat sa’yo.”
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The OPM singer’s battle with colon cancer was made public by his longtime girlfriend Alynna Velasquez during an interview with broadcast journalist Julius Babao in March 2024. She also revealed that he has since undergone surgery and battled an infection, and has since returned home.
Velasquez also revealed in the interview that she has been blamed by Alejandro’s family for making his health condition public, although she pointed out that his “critical condition” made her want to confide in someone.
“Nagko-conflict kami sa opinyon ng isa’t isa (We had conflicting opinions)… 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 (I think that I know him best),” she said.
Alejandro’s death came on the heels of the deaths of other show biz greats such as Superstar and National Artist Nora Aunor on April 16, and Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales on April 12.
The original heartthrob of college females
Alejandro, who started his entertainment career in the 1970s, made a name for himself as the “kilabot ng mga kolehiyala (college crush),” with his captivating charm and swoon-worthy vocals. He has been active in the OPM scene for more than four decades.
The singer opened up about maintaining his voice during an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer in February 2020, saying that he has the habit of “constantly humming,” although he would condition himself before a performance.
“I’m constantly humming; that’s already a form of vocalization… But of course, when I have a scheduled performance, I start conditioning myself weeks before it. I avoid ice-cold drinks and going to crowded areas,” he said.
Touching on his longevity, Alejandro said “playing” the music is one of the things he stood by, when it comes to maintaining his long-decorated career as a singer.
“My mindset is that you don’t work for music — you play it. And thus, I have been playing all this time. From Day 1, it was all about the music. Sometimes, you find yourself asking if now’s the right time to stop, especially as you get older. But at the same time, I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he said.
He is best known for his songs “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,” “Nakapagtataka,” “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan,” “Panakip-Butas,” “If I Were Man Enough,” and “May Minamahal,” to name a few.
