Hajji Alejandro’s daughter Rachel: ‘Nowhere else we would rather be than by his side’

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Rachel says her father had seen every show as a blessing, so much so that he fought to perform in two more events before undergoing surgery, despite already being in pain

MANILA, Philippines – Rachel Alejandro penned a touching tribute to her late father, OPM legend Hajji Alejandro, who died on April 21 after a battle with colon cancer.

On her social media pages on the evening of April 23, the singer-actress looked back on the times she and her siblings would go with their father everywhere he went.

“[W]e 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,” Rachel wrote.

Rachel shared that even as they grew up and got married, things never changed — they still longed to be around their father, adding that the late icon “loved to make people laugh as much as he loved to sing and dance.”

The Ang Larawan actress said that her father never had a talent manager and had never had to pay for any efforts to market himself.

“He was a bonafide star and his success was purely because [of] talent, hard work and charisma. He was always so entertaining on and off stage and made everyone around him feel special,” she continued.

Rachel revealed that Hajji had asked them to keep his illness private as he had plans to make a full recovery and return to work immediately after.

She remembered the “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala” as a happy and optimistic man who strived to provide for his partner, mother, and children. She recalled that Hajji had her when he was just 19, and since then, he had never canceled any shows.

Rachel said her father had seen every show as a blessing, so much so that he fought to perform in two more events before undergoing surgery despite already being in pain.

“Two 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. 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,” Rachel admitted, adding that she aims to make him proud in whatever she does.

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

Hajji Alejandro was a legend in the Filipino music scene, having started out as a member of the Circus Band. He further made a name for himself as a solo artist, releasing memorable hits like “Nakapagtataka,” “Panakip Butas,” and “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan,” among many others, throughout his decades-long career.

Hajji had two daughters — Rachel and Barni — with former partner Myrna Demauro, and a son with his second wife Rio Diaz: Ali. He also had a daughter named Michelle.

His longtime partner of 27 years, Alynna Velasquez, earlier said that Hajji chose to go home and spend his final days surrounded by his loved ones.

His cremated remains are now at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. Details of public viewing, however, have yet to be announced. – Rappler.com