Nelson Morales

Celebrities mourn passing of OPM legend Hajji Alejandro

Article (news)

Reyma Deveza

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- Local celebrities mourned the death of OPM legend Hajji Alejandro.</p><p>Alejandro passed away at the age of 70, his family announced on Tuesday morning, April 22, following his battle with colon cancer.</p><p>Dubbed as the &quot;Kilabot mga Kolehiyala,&quot; Alejandro started his music career in the &#x27;70s. After being part of Circus Band, he decided to pursue a solo career.</p><p>He&#x27;s known for his signature song “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,&quot; which has become an anthem for Filipino musicians.</p><p>Alejandro was also behind the hits “Nakapagtataka,” “Tag-araw, Tag-Ulan,” &quot;May Minamahal,&quot; “Panakip Butas.” and many more.</p><p>With the sad news of his passing, some celebrities turned to social media to honor Alejandro.</p><p>&quot;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. 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. These days have been just truly sad as we have all been mourning the loss of our music heroes,&quot; singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid wrote.<strong><br/></strong></p><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=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A11963987.400000095%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><p>&quot;Over the years, you have been a teammate, a mentor and a dear friend. 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,&quot; OPM hitmaker Dingdong Avanzado wrote.<strong><br/></strong></p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIu-iQDSQqU/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A11794533.400000095%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="936" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" 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><p>&quot;Tito Hajji, Aljohn and I were just talking about our fun time in Korea… Rest ka na, Tito. Thank you po,&quot; actress-singer Manilyn Reynes said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIvB6-uBtJ3/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A11770917.600000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="959" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" 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><p>&quot;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,&quot; Concert King Martin Nievera shared.<strong><br/></strong></p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIu1tBTJ4kw/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A11653732%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1113" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" 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><p>&quot;Wow. No words. Thank you Sir Hajji Alejandro,&quot; Filipino-American musician Troy Laureta shared.<strong><br/></strong></p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIuqyWzTo-f/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A11356766.900000095%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="834" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" 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><p>Alejandro was the third high-profile celebrity who left the local entertainment industry in over a week. Asia&#x27;s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales passed away on April 12 and superstar Nora Aunor died on April 16.  </p><p>In a social media post, Alejandro&#x27;s long-time partner Alynna Velasquez shared that Alejandro passed away on Monday, April 21, a day short before their 27th year together.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIvH6syRoeX/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A31308998.69999981%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1563" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" 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><p>Alejandro has four children including Rachel and Barni from his first wife.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/22/opm-legend-hajji-alejandro-passes-away-0821" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OPM legend Hajji Alejandro passes away</a></div><div><strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/4/22/honoring-the-philippines-kilabot-ng-mga-kolehiya-the-music-of-hajji-alejandro-1021" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Honoring the Philippines’ ‘Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiya’: The music of Hajji Alejandro</a><br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KSk6K_1ysBY?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3mU0ltBEOcU?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div>