Singer and OPM icon Hajji Alejandro has passed away at the age of 70, following a battle with stage 4 colon cancer.
The news was announced on April 22, 2025 through a family statement shared by Girlie Rodis — the manager of Alejandro’s daughter, singer-actress Rachel Alejandro — via a social media post. “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad and Son, Angelito “Hajji” T. Alejandro,” the Alejandro family said in their statement, asking for privacy during this time. We appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time. To God be the glory.”
Alejandro’s battle with stage 4 colon cancer was first publicly made known last March 20, 2025 by Alynna Velasquez — Alejandro’s longtime partner — who revealed his condition through an interview in a vlog from broadcast journalist Julius Babao.
Beginning his professional journey with music in the ’70s, Hajji Alejandro was dubbed as the “Kilabot Ng Mga Kolehiyala” (“Heartthrob of College Girls”), achieving widespread popularity throughout that decade and into the ’80s. Following his stint with Circus Band — the group that also included fellow OPM legend Basil Valdez — Alejandro went on to have a solo career starting in 1976, and is best known for such enduring anthems as “Nakapagtataka,” “Panakip Butas,” “Tag-araw, Tag-Ulan,” “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,” and more.
In particular, “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” — composed by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab — became the grand prize winner at the first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival, held in 1978.