Veteran singer and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) pioneer Hajji Alejandro has passed away due to complications from 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,” read the family’s statement shared by longtime family friend and talent manager Girlie Rodis. “At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves this tremendous loss.”
Alejandro is survived by his children: singer-actress Rachel Alejandro, Barni Alejandro, and Mojofly drummer Ali Alejandro.
Dubbed the “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala” (College Girls’ Heartthrob), Hajji Alejandro rose to fame in the 1970s as part of the famed Circus Band, alongside other future legends like Basil Valdez, Tillie Moreno, and Pat Castillo. He later embarked on a successful solo career that spanned more than four decades and helped define the golden age of OPM.
He popularized numerous timeless hits such as “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,” “Panakip-Butas,” “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan,” “Nakapagtataka,” and “May Minamahal.”
Alejandro’s performance of “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” at the inaugural Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Metropop) in 1978 won the grand prize. The song, composed by Ryan Cayabyab, later won the Grand Prix at the International Seoul Song Festival, becoming the first Filipino song to take the top award at an international competition.
In a 2020 interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Alejandro revealed how he maintained his voice through constant humming and disciplined conditioning before every performance. “My mindset is that you don’t work for music—you play it,” he said. “And thus, I have been playing all this time.”
Despite age and illness, he continued performing well into the 2020s, appearing in reunion concerts, tours, and even collaborating with daughter Rachel in shows both local and overseas. Their most recent tour was in Australia in 2024.
His cancer diagnosis became public in early 2024 after his longtime partner, Alynna Velasquez, revealed that Alejandro was battling stage 4 colon cancer. She shared in an interview that he initially experienced bloating and shortness of breath during a show in Vigan, prompting a CT scan that revealed the severity of his condition. After surgery, he briefly recovered but later suffered from seizures and was brought to the ICU due to an infection.
Velasquez also expressed the emotional toll of caring for Alejandro for over 27 years, stating, “I think I know him best,” despite differing views with his family on going public with his condition.
Hajji Alejandro’s legacy transcends music charts and awards. His artistry inspired generations of singers and songwriters and brought Filipino music to the world stage. His daughter Rachel once said, “I can’t describe how I feel sharing the stage with my dad. I will always be grateful.”
His death comes just days after the passing of other music legends—Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor—marking a heartbreaking month for Filipino music.
As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in across social media. His daughter Barni posted an emotional video singing “Ang Lahat Nito’y Para Sa Yo,” calling him her “first love, hero, and idol.”
Alejandro’s voice, music, and influence will remain a cornerstone of Filipino culture. More than a singer, he was a storyteller who helped define what it means to love, dream, and live through music.
Rest in peace, Hajji Alejandro. The music you gave will echo for generations.
