MANILA - OPM veteran Hajji Alejandro, whose signature song “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” has become an anthem for Filipino music, has passed away. 

The sad news was confirmed by his family in a statement.

"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. To God be the glory," the statement read.

Alejandro had three children – daughters Rachel, Barni (with Myrna Demauro) and son Ali (with actress-beauty queen Rio Diaz).

Dubbed the original “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala,” Alejandro started his entertainment career in the local music scene half a century ago.

The young heartthrob then was originally a member of the Circus Band, where other artists such as Basil Valdez, Pat Castillo, Tillie Moreno and Jacqui Magno among others, started their careers.

Late last February, Alejandro was rushed to the hospital and was reported to be battlIng stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his lungs and liver.

When he celebrated his 70th birthday last December 26, Alejandro looked up and about with family, close friends in and out of the business.

The occasion was “an intimate gathering of his nearest and dearest,” the Facebook caption said, posted by his daughter, singer-actress Rachel Alejandro.

Rachel earlier said it was hard being known as the “daughter of Hajji Alejandro” everywhere she goes to, even in the US.

“You will always be compared to someone who is such a big star,” she said. “But it was an advantage. I can’t describe how I feel sharing the stage with my dad, singing and dancing with him. I will always be grateful.”

KILABOT NG MGA KOLEHIYALA

Alejandro, whose christened name was Angelito, but was uniquely called “Hajji,” was only in his second year as a solo artist when the chance to compete in the Metropop music competition came his way.

Although it was his first time to join a singing contest, he already charted hit records like “Panakip-butas” and “Tag-araw, Tag-ulan,” that came late in 1976, after his stint with the Circus Band.

Those songs were immediately followed by Alejandro’s eponymously titled long playing album, ‘Hajji,’ released in early 1977. He did an extensive promotional campus concert tour nationwide for the said album.

That highly successful nationwide campus tour subsequently earned for Alejandro the enviable moniker, “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala.” He was already on his second year in the music business when he joined the Metropop despite having no prior experience competing in a singing contest.

Alejandro competed against the likes of Celeste Legaspi for Nonoy Gallardo’s “Pagdating Mo,” (second place), Maricris Bermont for Nonong Pedero’s “Narito Ako” (third place), and Anthony Castelo for Vic Villafuerte and Rolando Tinio’s “Ibig Kong Ibigin Ka” (fourth place).

The competition also gave rise to other iconic songs like Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak,” Heber Bartolome’s “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy,” Joel Navarro’s “Sweet Swerte Lang” and Joey Reyes’ “Ngumiti, Tumawa, Magsaya, Kumanta.”

Other music icons who joined the first Metropop were Janet Basco for Jose Mari Chan’s “Minsan Pa,” Imelda Papin for Joe Reyes’ “Ang Dampa sa Gulod” and Nanette Inventor for Jose Ilacad Jr.’s “Saan Ako Patutungo.”

Alejandro’s recording company at the time, Jem Records, assigned stage director Leo Rialp to help him out in the interpretation. 

“Leo, who knew my knack for dancing, designed a simple but tremendously effective choreography best suited for ‘Kay Ganda…’ Alejqndro recalled.

“We rehearsed that choreography day in and day out for weeks prior to the contest until such time that the movements became second nature to me, when I sing the song. So came the day of the competition, I was just bursting with confidence, knowing exactly what I needed to do to win.”

After bagging the grand prize in Manila, Alejandro and Cayabyab were later sent to represent the country in the first International Seoul Song Festival in Korea, also in 1978. They took the Grand Prix for “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.” Alejandro also went home with the Best Singer plum.

“We again won the grand prize, making ‘Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika’ the first Filipino song ever to win the highest award in an international song competition,” Alejandro proudly said.

“Words simply cannot express the pride and joy of winning such a historic musical event in our country. That was definitely a major highlight in my career,” he added.

KAY GANDA NG ATING MUSIKA

In July 2019, on the celebration of “Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino,” the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) lauded “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” as an opportune piece of musical creation.

The NCCA declared: “The song exalts the emergence of Filipino nationalism in music. It describes in metaphorical language the beautiful experience of discovering the gift of song.”

In 2022, Alejandro joined Rey Valera, Marco Sison, Nonoy Zuñiga and Pops Fernandez in “Four Kings and a Queen,” a concert at the Newport World Resorts that even went on tour to the US and Canada the following year.

In October 2024, Alejandro and daughter Rachel went on a concert tour in Australia – Brisbane, Melbourne, Queensland, Victoria.

In April last year, they shared the stage with the other OPM greats in “Awit ng Panahon: Noon at Ngayon,” at the New Frontier Theater. Other artists included Gino Padilla, Kris Lawrence and surviving members of Hagibis, Boyfriends and VST & Company.

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