OPM veteran singer Hajji Alejandro has passed away, he was 70 years old.

Hajj’s son, Angelito ‘Hajji’ T. Alejandro announce the passing of our beloved Dad after battling stage 4 colon cancer since early this year.

“At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves this tremendous loss,” they said. “We appreciate your understanding and support during this time.” Angelito said in a statement.

Alejandro had three children – daughters Rachel, Barni (with Myrna Demauro) and son Ali (with actress-beauty queen Rio Diaz).

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.

Dubbed the original “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala,” Alejandro started his entertainment career in the local music scene half a century ago.

Last February, Alejandro was rushed to the hospital and was reported to be battling stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his lungs and liver.

When he celebrated his 70th birthday last December 26, Alejandro looked up and about with family, close friends in and out of the business.

The occasion was “an intimate gathering of his nearest and dearest,” the Facebook caption said, posted by his daughter, singer-actress Rachel Alejandro.

Rachel earlier said it was hard being known as the “daughter of Hajji Alejandro” everywhere she goes to, even in the US.

In July 2019, on the celebration of “Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino,” the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) lauded “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” as an opportune piece of musical creation.

The NCCA declared: “The song exalts the emergence of Filipino nationalism in music. It describes in metaphorical language the beautiful experience of discovering the gift of song.”

In 2022, Alejandro joined Rey Valera, Marco Sison, Nonoy Zuñiga and Pops Fernandez in “Four Kings and a Queen,” a concert at the Newport World Resorts that even went on tour to the US and Canada the following year.

In October 2024, Alejandro and daughter Rachel went on a concert tour in Australia – Brisbane, Melbourne, Queensland, Victoria.

In April last year, they shared the stage with the other OPM greats in “Awit ng Panahon: Noon at Ngayon,” at the New Frontier Theater. Other artists included Gino Padilla, Kris Lawrence and surviving members of Hagibis, Boyfriends and VST & Company.