Remembering the original 'Kilabot' Hajji Alejandro

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Just as the entertainment industry was laying National Artist Nora Aunor to rest on Tuesday morning, another beloved icon bid his final farewell. OPM legend Hajji Alejandro passed away after battling stage 4 colon cancer. He was 70 years old.

His family announced the news through a social media post by the longtime manager of Alejandro's daughter, Rachel, Girlie Rodis. Their statement read: "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."

Besides Rachel, who followed her father's footsteps as a noted OPM artist, Alejandro is survived by another daughter, Chef Barni Alejandro and Mojofly drummer Ali Diaz Alejandro. Rachel and Barni are the singer's daughters from a relationship with restaurateur Myrna Demauro, while Ali is his son from a previous marriage to the late actress and beauty queen Rio Diaz.

At the time of his death, Alejandro had been in a longtime relationship with his partner, singer Alyanna Vasquez.

OPM icon Hajji Alejandro PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/HAJJIALEJANDRO.OFFICIAL

OPM's 'Kilabot'

Alejandro shot to fame in the 1970s not only for his singing voice but also for his youthful good looks, which earned him the moniker "Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiyala."

Before succeeding in a solo career, Alejandro started with the group Circus Band, just like fellow OPM legend Basil Valdez. He has also gone down in Philippine music history as the first winner of the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival, better known as Metro Pop.

His best-known songs include "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika," "May Minamahal," "Panakip Butas," "Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan," and "Nakapagtataka," which daughter Rachel successfully remade at the beginning of her career.

Cause of death

It was only in March when Velasquez disclosed that Alejandro had been battling stage 4 colon cancer.

In an exclusive interview on broadcaster Julius Babao's YouTube channel (uploaded on March 20), Velasquez related that the balladeer underwent surgery the month before in February. The procedure was thought to have gone well until Alejandro started having seizures a few days later.

His doctors then discovered that the singer had developed an infection and was immediately moved to the intensive care unit, where he was placed on a respirator.

At the time, Velasquez expressed relief that the infection had been properly treated but noted that although Alejandro had been discharged, he was still very weak.

"He already has a walker because he's learning to move again since he lost his muscles. He's incapacitated," Velasquez said.

When Babao asked how they discovered Alejandro was ill, she recalled that during one of his shows in Vigan, he suddenly felt bloated and could no longer breathe, eat, or function normally.

"I told him to have a checkup. Hajji is the type who would not [go to the doctor], but he had no choice at that time. He had CT scan, and that's where they found that he had stage 4 colon cancer and needed immediate surgery."

Velasquez said the diagnosis came as a shock because, at 70 years old, Alejandro had maintained a healthy lifestyle.

"He plays golf, he walks, he does everything. I'm actually the lazy one. He eats healthy, and then all of a sudden, this happened," she added.

As to the singer's reaction upon learning of his condition, Velasquez said, "I did not see any reaction from him. He did not cry. But knowing him for 27 years, I could tell he was scared, deep in thought, and in disbelief."

In the same interview, Alejandro's partner also revealed that she had been separated from the singer for the time being after "a complicated situation" arose with his family, who had wanted to keep his illness private. Velasquez explained to Babao that they blamed her for making it public but maintained she had told only one person about Alejandro's condition.

Tributes

Barni was first to pay tribute to her father as soon as news of Alejandro's death had been officially announced. Known for her home-delivered diet meals, Sexy Chef, the devasted daughter wrote on Instagram, "I can't fathom a life without you. My heart is broken into a million pieces. You were my first love, my hero, my idol. Forever, your Yabs!"

Friends and colleagues came next with OPM President Ogie Alcasid describing his "Tito Hajji" as an "amazing human being" and adding, "He was friendly, always joking around, kind, accommodating and the supreme professional when it came to his art of singing. He was fondly called the original "Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala," and there is no doubt that all our hairs would stand with each note that he sang.

"These days have been just truly sad as we have all been mourning the loss of our music heroes. To Rachel, Barnie, Nino and the rest of the Alejandro Family, we send our deepest sympathies. We are thinking of you at this time and praying for your comfort from our Lord," Alcasid Added.

Nephew and musician Nino Alejandro posted on Facebook, "Thank you for everything, Tito Hajji. You and your music will live in our hearts. Thank you for inspiring us all to share our voices with the world. We love you. Rest in power. Kay ganda ng iyong musika."

It was much later in the day when Velasquez expressed her grief on Instagram, sharing that her beloved passed away just a day before what would have been their 27th anniversary.

Posting a beautiful photo of them together, she wrote, "No more pain, love. Just pure bliss with our Heavenly Father."

Velasquez also gave a glimpse into Alejandro's final days in her heartfelt tribute, writing, "You refused another trip to the hospital and chose palliative care instead, in the comforts of your home, in the company of people you love. You knew you were leaving us soon."

Providing an inkling she and Alejandro remained separated since her interview with Babao in March, Velasquez continued, "My love, we spent the last 8 days of your life together. I am grateful to your kids Ali and Rachel forreaching out to me. I [had] been waiting. I [thought] of you every hour of every day.

"We listened to our favorite songs and we both had tears in our eyes. Your precious voice [had] been impaired because cancer had constricted your respiratory system as well. But I felt your love even without words. And despite the pain, restlessness and hallucinations, you tried to hold my hand."

In ending, she wrote, "You tried to hold on, you know it is our special day today. But your human body gave up on you. Thank you for your love. See you in God's time. I love you eternally."

As of press time, Rachel, who has always been the most prominent of Alejandro's children, has yet to issue a statement.

WITH REPORT FROM CHRISTINA ALPAD