Anna Marie Lukban

Rachel Alejandro honors her dad Hajji Alejandro as, ‘an instrument for joy’

 

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>As the eldest child of the late OPM singer Hajji Alejandro, Rachel Alejandro was the first to follow in her father’s footsteps in the music industry. After joining the popular &#x27;80s variety show ‘<em>That’s Entertainment</em>’ before she reached her teens, Rachel released her debut album, &quot;Just a Minute,&quot; in 1989 at the age of 15. </p><p>Her father, who passed away last month after battling stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 70, was a member of the legendary Circus band in the 1970s and &#x27;80s before being dubbed as the country’s first ‘Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala’ in 1976 after he went solo. Hajji was also best known for his signature song “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” which was first released in 1977 and composed by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJWqD2dOZQx/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A612656.5%2C%22ls%22%3A611888.8000000715%2C%22le%22%3A612639.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/22/opm-legend-hajji-alejandro-passes-away-0821"><strong><u>READ: OPM legend Hajji Alejandro passes away</u></strong><br/></a></div><p>Currently based in the US along with her husband Carlo Santamaria, Rachel performs in cities in different states throughout the year when she is not in the Philippines for projects. In her latest Instagram post, the 51-year-old artist shared some insights on how her dad taught her to be a good performer. </p><p>“My Dad Hajji Alejandro’s career spanned more than half a century. He would often tell me that he believed our work is divine providence 🙏🏻. After all, we singers don’t apply for jobs. Someone, somewhere, will have to think of us and choose to hire us for concerts and events out of all the hundreds of performers out there. He taught me to never take that for granted and to always be grateful that our work brings nostalgia and enjoyment to people everywhere. ❤️”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/01/09/21/behind-the-music-kay-ganda-ng-ating-musika-by-hajji-alejandro"><strong><u>READ: Behind the Music: &#x27;Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika&#x27; by Hajji Alejandro</u></strong></a></div><p>After a recent show earlier this month, Rachel reflected on the legacy her father had left behind not just with her, but to everyone whom his music had touched, in and outside the Philippines. “Performed a concert for a small community of Filipinos in Beaumont, Texas recently and I thanked the audience there for coming to celebrate my Dad’s legacy of Filipino music. That night and every show moving forward, I dedicate my performance to my Dad who for 50 + years was an instrument for joy. 🎶 Thank you to the Philippine Association of Beaumont Texas for the opportunity!”</p>

<p>Singer and actress Rachel Alejandro shares the legacy her dad, the late singer Hajji Alejandro had given to her, after a performance for the Pinoy community in Texas this month.</p>

Singer and actress Rachel Alejandro shares the legacy her dad, the late singer Hajji Alejandro had given to her, after a performance for the Pinoy community in Texas this month.