Rachel Alejandro on dad Hajji Alejandro's passing: 'I was still not prepared'

Filipina singer Rachel Alejandro took to social media to express her deep grief over the passing of her father, OPM icon Hajji Alejandro.In a recent post, the singer-actress shared a tender photo of them together and opened up about how much she misses her beloved dad."What happens when the brightest star in a galaxy dies? My Dad was our sun and we were planets, orbiting around him, basking in his warmth and light. As kids, we tagged along to all his activities, be it shows, rehearsals, basketball games -- it didn't matter what it was," she wrote.Rachel recalled how she and her siblings shared a close bond with their father, even well into adulthood. She remembered not only his wisdom and life lessons, but also the lighthearted jokes that made their family moments even more special." He was a bonafide star and his success was purely because of talent, hard work and charisma. He was always so entertaining on and off stage and made everyone around him feel special." she described Hajji.Later in her post, Rachel opened up about the difficult final months of Hajji's life, battling his stage 4 colon cancer."When he got ill, he asked us to keep it private, which is why none of his family ever spoke about it. He was fully prepared to get well and get back to work, which was why he wanted to avoid word leaking out about his sickness," she explained."My Dad was a happy, optimistic man who valued having a good, comfortable life, yes, but more importantly, he prioritized providing for his partner, mother and children. And his way of doing that from the time he had me at the young age of 19, was through his golden singing voice, which is why regardless of how he was feeling, he never cancelled shows."Rachel revealed that Hajji pushed through two more events despite his condition--an act of true dedication that she will never forget."2 months of hospital stays and spending time with him at his home and I was still not prepared as I helplessly watched him breathe his final breath," she wrote.Rachel concluded her tribute with a poignant reflection. "What happens to those a star of this magnitude leaves behind? I don't have answers for that yet as I struggle to grasp living in a universe without our Daddwaps. But I intend to make him proud in everything I do, to live by his code of honor and goodness, to perform for you all with everything I've got and leave it all on the stage every single time. I will now just be singing and dancing with Dad in my dreams..."On April 22, Hajji's manager Girlie Rodis and the Alejandro family confirmed the passing of Hajji Alejandro.Earlier this year, Hajji's partner, Alynna Velasquez, revealed in an interview that the OPM icon has been battling stage four colon cancer and experienced seizure due to infection.TAKE A LOOK BACK AT HAJJI ALEJANDRO'S SUCCESSFUL MUSIC CAREER IN THIS GALLERY:

Hajji Alejandro is one of the best singers the country has ever produced. Back in December 2024, he marked his 70th birthday.Singer Rachel Alejandro posted on Instagram a heartwarming birthday message for her talented father.

“Some of us are blessed with youthful good looks. Some are lucky to have an abundance of talent and a lucrative career while others have lasting good health. At 70 years young today, my Dad @hajjialejandro.

official has all that and more.” Loyal fans of Hajji knows him for his title then, “Kilabot ng Kolehiyala.” In an interview with Lifestyle Inquirer, Hajji recalled that it was veteran balladeer Basil Valdez who discovered him and recruited him in Circus Band.

Hajji's first single was the song "Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan." He told PEP.Ph that he cried when he first heard his song on the radio.

“I remembered the first time narinig ko 'yung 'Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan' sa radio. Natapos kong i-record tapos several weeks later, pinatugtog sa radio. Talagang nagda-drive ako, umiiyak ako talaga, 'yung feeling na talagang ang sarap, from inside nararamdaman mo.

Ganun din ang nararamdaman ko 'pag kinakanta ng ibang tao 'yung mga awitin ko.” Hajji's collaboration with National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab in the first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Metropop) for the song “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” in the 1978 won him the grand prize. Hajji Alejandro and Ryan Cayabyab then flew to South Korea in 1978 to compete in the first International Seoul Song Festival in Korea.

Their song “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” won the Grand Prix and Hajji also bagged the recognition for Best Singer. Hajji's other hit songs include “Panakip Butas,” “May Minamahal,” and “Nakapagtataka.” When he wasn't getting much work, Hajji and his ex-wife Rio Diaz then flew to the United States to put up a restaurant at the Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.

Rio, who was diagnosed with colon cancer, died in 2004. The "Nakapagtataka" singer was blessed to have multi-talented kids. Theater actress-singer Rachel Alejandro and chef Barni Alejandro are his children from his first marriage.

Mojofly drummer Ali Alejandro is Hajji's son with the late beauty queen Rio Diaz. He also has another child named Michelle Alejandro. Family is everything for Hajji Alejandro.

Alyanna, the girlfriend of Hajji Alejandro for over two decades, sat-down with Julius Babao to talk about his health condition.She confirmed during her interview with Julius that Hajji got diagnosed with colon cancer. “It was just an ordinary day na he had a show.

.. Sa Vigan kasama 'yung Hitmakers parang na-bloat siya and he could not breathe, he could not eat, he could not do anything.

” Alyanna remembered.“So sabi ko pacheck-up siya..

.So, when he had a CT scan nalaman na.“Well he heard it from the doctor and then he said that he needed to have an operation, like, ASAP.

The initial finding was Stage 4 Colon Cancer.Julius then asked how Hajji reacted. Alyanna stated, “I didn't see any reaction from him.

I think knowing him for 27 years,he's scared and hindi pa siya makapaniwala.”According to Alyanna, Hajji is doing well now after his operation last month and he is recuperating in his home. The family of Hajji Alejandro, through his manager Girlie Rodis, released a statement announcing the death of the music icon in a Facebook post on April 22, 2025.

The full statement reads, “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 this tremendous loss.

We appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time.”.