MANILA -- The death of OPM veteran Hajji Alejandro shocked the industry as well as his good friend Marco Sison.

Sison told ABS-CBN News that the last time he saw Alejandro in the flesh was during their pre-Valentine show in Vigan, Ilocos Sur last February 13.

“We had a really successful show, we were so happy. Nagkaroon pa kami ng midnight snack and then tandang-tanda ko na siya 'yung unang-unang tumayo papunta sa room niya," he said.

He added, “The usual, sobrang galing mag-perform. Sumasayaw. Pawis na pawis. Wala kang makikitang trace na may dinadamdam siya or meron siguro pero hindi lang niya pinapahalata.”

Celebrities mourn passing of OPM legend Hajji Alejandro

Little did he know, Alejandro was complaining about feeling pain in his stomach.

“Akala ko naman ordinary sakit lang ng tiyan. He could not drink water, kasi sumasakit daw. A few days narinig ko kailangan na siyang dalhin sa ospital kasi he was dehydrated. 'Yun na 'yun, dire-direcho na 'yun," he explained.

That was the last time he had spoken to Alejandro and saw his good friend.

Sison and Alejandro belong to the group called The OPM Hitmakers along with Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga and original member Rico J. Puno. For two decades, the fab five has been serenading their fans all over the world with international tours.  

“Ang pangit ng feeling, parang in denial ka, it’s a mixture of feelings na ‘hindi naman siguro,’ kasi we know the guy inside and out. Twenty-two years namin kasama 'yun doing the same things. Siyempre after Rico Puno, siya yung naging leader namin,” said Sison. 

He candidly joked, “Pakonti nga kami nang pakonti, nagkakantsawan kami. Pero siyempre kailangan naming mag-meet ulit, para pag-usapan kung sino ang pwede mag-represent sa aming tatlo. Ako right now, as far as I’m concerned, hindi pa siya nagsi-sink in.”

What will he miss the most about Alejandro?

“Ang ma-mi-miss ko lang kay Hajji ay yung sobrang lakas ng sense of humor. Parang meron tingin sa kanya na suplado pero hindi," he recalled.

Honoring the Philippines’ ‘Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiyala’: The music of Hajji Alejandro

Sison believes Alejandro’s music has opened a lot of doors for today’s balladeers and the songs Pinoys love to sing, and his music will live on.

“Ang laki ng kontibusyon niya sa industriya ng musikang pilipino, isa siya sa mga nagsimula ng Original Pilipino Music," Sison emphasized.

“Siya talaga 'yung kilabot ng kolehiyala. There will be no other kilabot ng kolehiyala. Si Hajji Alejandro lang 'yun," be added