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Published April 24, 2025 7:44am
Hajji Alejandro’s daughter, Rachel Alejandro, wrote a moving tribute for her father and shared stories about him, all the way until his final days.
In a Facebook post, the singer and actress started by saying, “What happens when the brightest star in a galaxy dies? My Dad was our sun and we were planets, orbiting around him, basking in his warmth and light.”
Rachel said that as children, she and her siblings always accompanied their father everywhere, from shows, rehearsals, and basketball games.
She added that they always “craved his company” even as adults, after marrying, and living their own lives.
“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,” she said. “He loved to make people laugh as much as he loved to sing and dance.”
Rachel also revealed that Hajji never had a talent manager, but his long-term partner Alynna Velasquez handled his bookings. He also rarely posted on social media and never paid for PR or marketing.
“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,” Rachel said.
Rachel then revealed that Hajji told his family to keep his sickness private, and that he was "fully prepared to get well and get back to work."
In fact, Hajji performed in two events before getting admitted into the hospital for surgery. Rachel said that regardless of how he was feeling, he never cancelled shows.
“For Dad, every show is a blessing and performing for you all is our highest calling as singers.”
And finally, the moment Rachel was fearing came.
“[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,” she said.
“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,” she added.
She said she hopes to make her dad proud and honor him.
“But I intend 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,” Rachel said.
“I will now just be singing and dancing with Dad in my dreams…”
Hajji passed away on Tuesday. He was 70 years old.
In her heartfelt tribute, Alynna revealed they would've celebrated their 27th anniversary on April 22.
Hajji had been battling stage 4 colon cancer since early this year and underwent an operation in February, Alynna said.
Born Angelito Toledo Alejandro, Hajji was a member of the Circus Band and won at the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival with the song "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika."
Among his other hit songs are "Panakip-butas," "Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan," and more.
—Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
