Flonique Guimary

Geneva Cruz, Dingdong Avanzado, Vina Morales, artists pen tributes for Hajji Alejandro: 'We will always remember you fondly'

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Several Original Pilipino Music (OPM) artists have paid tribute to OPM icon Hajji Alejandro, who passed away on Monday, April 21.</p><div> </div><p>On their social media pages, fellow artists including Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Dingdong Avanzado, Vina Morales, Pops Fernandez, Angeline Quinto, Raymond Lauchengco, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Geneva Cruz, and Audie Gemora expressed their condolences and fond memories of the legendary &quot;Kilabot ng Kolehiyala.&quot;</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745327189610IMG_2330.PNG" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745327204091IMG_2332.PNG" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><p>Singer-songwriter and television host Ogie Alcasid remembered Hajji as “an amazing human being” and a “supreme professional” in his craft.</p><div> </div><p>“Tito Hajji was just an amazing human being. He was friendly, always joking around, kind, accommodating and the supreme professional when it came to his art of singing,” Ogie wrote.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIu612iSgpJ/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A9053192.699999928%2C%22ls%22%3A427599.09999990463%2C%22le%22%3A427984.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="960" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>He added that Hajji’s iconic title, Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala, was a fitting description of his voice and stage presence.</p><div> </div><p>“He was fondly called the original &#x27;Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala&#x27; and there is no doubt that all our hairs would stand with each note that he sang,” he expressed. “These days have been just truly sad as we have all been mourning the loss of our music heroes.”</p><div> </div><p>Ogie extended his sympathy to Hajji’s bereaved family, saying, “To Rachel, Barni, Nino, and the rest of the Alejandro Family, we send our deepest sympathies. We are thinking of you at this time and praying for your comfort from our Lord.”</p><div> </div><p>Concert King Martin Nievera also mourned Hajji’s passing, recalling the inspiration and guidance he received from the OPM legend.</p><div> </div><p>“I still can’t believe it. We have lost a musical icon and such a wonderful beautiful man. He was always so kind and supportive not to mention humble and extremely fun to be around. I have learned so much from this man,”Martin wrote.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIu1tBTJ4kw/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A9053209.399999976%2C%22ls%22%3A427599.09999990463%2C%22le%22%3A427984.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1113" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>He also dedicated his rendition of “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” with Troy Laureta to Hajji.</p><div> </div><p>“Now I’ll learn this with pride as a tribute for the man who gave us the very best of OPM. Rest in peace my friend. I already miss you. Thank you for the music and the memories!” he expressed.</p><div> </div><p>Singer-actress Vina Morales recalled her last performance with Hajji and other OPM icons, including Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga, and Marco Sison.</p><div> </div><p>“Another big loss in the music industry… 🙏 Tito Hajji Alejandro, it was truly an honor to have shared the stage with you. Salamat po sa iyong musika ❤️You will always be remembered. ❤️,” Vina said.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-11" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIvA4IbvRA8/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A11%2C%22os%22%3A9053221.599999905%2C%22ls%22%3A427599.09999990463%2C%22le%22%3A427984.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1149" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-11" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>“I’ve been so blessed to have worked with these icons in the music industry. My deepest condolences to you, Sis @racheljalejandro and the whole family. ❤️🙏 Love and prayers ❤️🙏,” she added.</p><div> </div><p>Concert Queen Pops Fernandez posted a photo of Hajji on her Instagram story with the simple message: “Rest in Peace.”</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745327220871IMG_2329.PNG" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><strong> </strong></div><div> </div><p>Geneva Cruz, a close friend of Rachel Alejandro, wrote: “Rest in peace, Tito Hajji. Thank you for your kindness and for inspiring me and your daughter Rachel to continue pursuing our love of music and performing. (star shine emoji) My condolences to the Alejandro Family. (praying emoji and white heart emoji).”</p><div> </div><p>Singer Raymond Lauchengco expressed his farewell to Hajji, as well as to fellow icons Nora Aunor and Pilita Corrales, who also passed away this month.</p><div> </div><p>“Farewell, and thank you! ❤️❤️❤️,” he simply wrote.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-12" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIvgXitTW7V/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A12%2C%22os%22%3A9054605.099999905%2C%22ls%22%3A427599.09999990463%2C%22le%22%3A427984.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1014" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-12" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Theater veteran Audie Gemora shared a photo he took of Hajji during their 2022 concert, <em>Contra Mundum, Ang Larawan,</em> and recalled their plans for a retrospective concert.</p><div> </div><p>“Took this photo of Hajji while we were doing &#x27;Contra Mundum, Ang Larawan the Concert&#x27; at the MET two years ago. He wanted to do a retrospective concert and asked me to direct it,” he shared.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-13" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIu5YcRPDfh/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A13%2C%22os%22%3A9054696.399999976%2C%22ls%22%3A427599.09999990463%2C%22le%22%3A427984.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1017" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-13" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>“What a celebration of an OPM icon and one of the nicest guys in the music industry it would have been. Hajji will live on through his many hits. Condolences to Alynna, Rachel, and the rest of the family.”</p><div> </div><p>Singer-songwriter Dingdong Avanzado described Hajji as a “teammate, mentor, and dear friend.”</p><div> </div><p>“I truly appreciate all the wonderful moments that I have spent with you, whether it be playing basketball, golf or playing cards. But most of all that I appreciate are the life lessons and wisdom that you have imparted to me. Thank you for all the wonderful stories and memories,” he expressed.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIu-iQDSQqU/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A9054714.599999905%2C%22ls%22%3A427599.09999990463%2C%22le%22%3A427984.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="936" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>He went on: “Thank you for your valuable contribution to our music industry. Rest now Tito Hajji. We will always remember you fondly. 🙏.”</p>

<p><b>OPM artists mourn the passing of Philippines’ 'Kilabot ng Kolehiyala' Hajji Alejandro.</b></p>

OPM artists mourn the passing of Philippines’ 'Kilabot ng Kolehiyala' Hajji Alejandro.