The news broke like a gentle but aching note across social media—Hajji Alejandro, one of the true icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), has passed away. For many of us who grew up with his voice as a soundtrack to life’s most tender moments, the loss feels deeply personal. And for his fellow “Hitmakers” and closest friends like Nonoy Zuñiga, Rey Valera, and Marco Sison, it is a heartbreak filled with memories, laughter, and music shared over decades of friendship and artistry.
Nonoy’s tribute on Facebook captured it beautifully: “You bravely took the final bow my friend but your music will surely live on.” That single line encapsulates the grace and courage with which Hajji faced life, including his final battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. Until the very end, he remained a singer—a storyteller through song—his voice echoing through the years and across generations.
Born Angelito Toledo Alejandro on December 26, 1954, in Alaminos, Pangasinan, Hajji wasn’t just a pop singer—he was the pop singer of a golden era. His rise to fame came with the Circus Band, one of the most influential musical groups of the 1970s, and then soared even higher as a solo artist. In 1978, he became the first-ever champion of the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival, a pivotal moment that helped shape the future of OPM.
Who could forget “Nakapagtataka,” the haunting ballad of heartbreak that still pierces the heart decades later? Or “Panakip Butas,” which so perfectly captured the melancholy of loving someone who only sees you as a substitute? These songs weren’t just hits—they were emotional anchors, etched into the Filipino psyche.
But Hajji was more than just a voice. He was a Bedan through and through, from grade school to high school, a proud Red Cub athlete, and a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, where he studied Marketing Management. He brought discipline to his craft, both as a performer and as a human being, known not just for his charm and stage presence but also for his kindness, professionalism, and quiet humility.
Even in his final years, performing with fellow legends as part of The Hitmakers—alongside Nonoy, Rey, and Marco—Hajji brought the same passion and soul to every show. Together, they gave audiences not just nostalgia, but joy and connection. They were not just performers; they were brothers bonded by song.
As Hajji battled cancer, he faced the most difficult chapters of his life with dignity. In recent weeks, his condition worsened, with metastasis reaching his liver and lungs. Despite being intubated and suffering seizures, he fought on with quiet strength. His family, ever loving and dignified, asked only for prayers and privacy.
And now, the final bow has come. But what remains is a legacy—of music, of friendship, and of a life well lived in the service of song. In our memories, he will always be standing on stage, singing from the heart, touching souls.
To Hajji Alejandro—thank you. Thank you for the music, the stories, and the love. Your voice lives on in every karaoke session, every serenade, every Filipino heart. You may have taken your final bow, but your melody is eternal.
Rest in peace, Hajji. The curtain may have closed, but the applause never will.(TAMBULI NG BAYAN-Ronnie Estrada)