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Rachel Alejandro Remembers Dad Hajji: My Dad Was Our Sun

by Alexa Villano
April 24, 2025

Hajji Alejandro, one of the country’s OPM icons died on April 21 at 70

Hajji Alejandro, tagged as the original Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala died on Monday at 70 as Philippine showbiz continues to grieve over the passing of several stars like Pilita Corrales, Nora Aunor, and Gloria Romero.

Rachel On Hajji: He was our “sun”

On April 23, Hajji’s daughter, singer Rachel Alejandro took to Instagram to remember her dad.

“ What happens when the brightest star in a galaxy dies? My Dad was our sun and we were the planets, orbiting around him, basking in his warmth and light,” she wrote. “ As kids, we tagged along to all his activities, be it shows, rehearsals, basketball games — it didn’t matter what it was. We would fall asleep at Dolphy’s house if he was there for an all-night poker game. There was nowhere else we would rather be than by his side because every minute in his presence was fun.”

Even as they grew, Rachel shared that they would still be with him as much as they could.

“ I hung on to his every word about politics, financial investments or the latest joke he planned on including in his next concert with the Hitmakers. He loved to make people laugh as much as he loved to sing and dance.”

Describing her dad as a “ happy and optimistic man,” Rachel wrote that Hajji wanted to be a good provider, using his voice and never cancelled shows.

“Even when he was already in considerable pain, he performed in two more events before he was admitted into the hospital for surgery. For Dad, every show is a blessing and performing for you all is our highest calling as singers,” she wrote.

Hajji Alejandro, one of the country’s OPM icons died on April 21 at 70 — Photo from racheljalejandro

Battling until the end

When her dad battled cancer in the hospital, Rachel wrote that she was with him, and now that he’s no longer around, she was still not prepared to say goodbye.

“ 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,” she said.

“I will now just be singing and dancing with Dad in my dreams.”

Hajji’s hits include “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” “Nakakapagtaka,” and “Panakip Butas.”