6 days ago
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MANILA, Philippines — OPM icon Hajji Alejandro is battling stage 4 colon cancer, his long-time partner, singer Alynna Velasquez, confirmed.
OPM icon Hajji Alejandro PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/HAJJIALEJANDRO.OFFICIAL
In an exclusive interview with Julius Babao, uploaded March 20, Velasquez revealed that Alejandro underwent surgery February this year. It went well until he started having seizures a few days later. Doctors later discovered that he had developed an infection, and he was immediately moved to the intensive care unit.
Thankfully, according to Velasquez, doctors were able to address the infection and after a week, Alejandro was removed from respirator. He is now at home and undergoing therapy.
"He already has a walker because he's learning to move again since he lost his muscles. He's incapacitated."
When Babao asked Velasquez how they found out about his illness, she recalled that during one of his shows in Vigan, Alejandro suddenly felt bloated and was unable to breathe, eat, or do anything else.
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"I told him to have a checkup. Hajji is the type who would not 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 took them by surprise 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.
"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."
Alejandro and his longtime partner, Alynna Velasquez PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/ALYNNAV
The interview also touched on the viral posts earlier this year that leaked news of Alejandro's health battle.
Velasquez said she was blamed revealed for the leak, explaining, "The family wanted it to be private and I respect it. But when he was critical, I had to tell someone — I had to tell his best friend."
The unnamed friend, with good intentions, asked their alumni group to pray for Alejandro, but the information quickly spread online. Velasquez also took a video of Alejandro and his mother in the hospital, where she was singing to him as he rested. She shared the clip in their family group chat, but someone made it public while asking for prayers anew.
"Even though I got the blame, I thank the public for sharing that video and sharing updates. Because of your prayers, he's well now. And I believe — like I told Hajji — he'll be able to sing again."
Finally, Velasquez revealed during the interview that she has recently left Alejandro's home after an "incident" that she decided not to detail.
"I felt that they preferred to take care of him themselves. I have been Hajji's partner for 27 years and I have things to say. Something not good happened and then I apologized for whatever I said."
Velasquez said she was hurt but also considered the perspective of Alejandro's children, saying that if she were in their place, she would also want to be with her father because he is family.
"I am not a wife, I am just a girlfriend. So, technically, the family has all the right to have him, to be with him."
While she has voluntarily left the home they shared, Velasquez said she'll be always be around if and when the Alejandros need her.
