'My Dad was our sun and we were planets': Rachel Alejandro honors dad Hajji | ABS-CBN
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'My Dad was our sun and we were planets': Rachel Alejandro honors dad Hajji
Reyma Deveza,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 24, 2025 08:58 AM PHT
MANILA — Singer-actress Rachel Alejandro paid tribute to her father, OPM legend Hajji Alejandro, as their family's "brightest star."
MANILA — Singer-actress Rachel Alejandro paid tribute to her father, OPM legend Hajji Alejandro, as their family's "brightest star."
"My Dad was our sun and we were planets, orbiting around him, basking in his warmth and light," Rachel said in a social media post.
"My Dad was our sun and we were planets, orbiting around him, basking in his warmth and light," Rachel said in a social media post.
Rachel said that as kids, she and her siblings "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," she said.
Rachel said that as kids, she and her siblings "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," she said.
Even as adults, Rachel said they "craved" their father's company. S
Even as adults, Rachel said they "craved" their father's company. S
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"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," she said.
"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," she said.
She shared that her father "never had a talent manager", except recently when he asked his partner Alynna to handle his bookings. He "rarely posted on social media and never needed to pay for any sort of PR or marketing," she added.
She shared that her father "never had a talent manager", except recently when he asked his partner Alynna to handle his bookings. He "rarely posted on social media and never needed to pay for any sort of PR or marketing," she added.
"He was a bonafide star and his success was purely because talent, hard work and charisma. He was always so entertaining on and off stage and made everyone around him feel special," Rachel said.
"He was a bonafide star and his success was purely because talent, hard work and charisma. He was always so entertaining on and off stage and made everyone around him feel special," Rachel said.
She said that even after Hajji fell ill, it was the latter who asked them to keep it private because he was prepared to work again.
She said that even after Hajji fell ill, it was the latter who asked them to keep it private because he was prepared to work again.
"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 said.
"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 said.
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"Even when he was already in considerable pain, he performed in 2 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. 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 said.
"Even when he was already in considerable pain, he performed in 2 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. 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 said.
After her father's passing, Rachel said she intends "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."
After her father's passing, Rachel said she intends "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," Rachel said.
"I will now just be singing and dancing with Dad in my dreams," Rachel said.
Hajji passed away at the age of 70, his family announced on Tuesday morning, April 22, following his battle with colon cancer.
Hajji passed away at the age of 70, his family announced on Tuesday morning, April 22, following his battle with colon cancer.
Dubbed as the "Kilabot mga Kolehiyala," Hajji started his music career in the '70s. After being part of Circus Band, he decided to pursue a solo career. He's known for his signature song “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika," which has become an anthem for Filipino musicians.
Dubbed as the "Kilabot mga Kolehiyala," Hajji started his music career in the '70s. After being part of Circus Band, he decided to pursue a solo career. He's known for his signature song “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika," which has become an anthem for Filipino musicians.
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Hajji was also behind the hits “Nakapagtataka,” “Tag-araw, Tag-Ulan,” "May Minamahal," “Panakip Butas.” and many more.
Hajji was also behind the hits “Nakapagtataka,” “Tag-araw, Tag-Ulan,” "May Minamahal," “Panakip Butas.” and many more.
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