Rachel Alejandro shares last moments with father Hajji

Rachel Alejandro says father Hajji wanted to recover from colon cancer.

Rachel Alejandro on mourning the passing of her father Hajji: “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… I will now just be singing and dancing with Dad in my dreams…”
PHOTO/S: @hajjialejandro.official Instagram

Ramdam ang pagdadalamhati ni Rachel Alejandro sa pagpanaw ng ama at OPM icon na si Hajji Alejandro.

Pumanaw si Hajji dahil sa Stage-4 colon cancer noong April 21, 2025.

Siya ay 70 taong gulang.

Sa kanyang Facebook post kagabi, April 23, ibinahagi ni Rachel ang tribute para kay Hajji.

“Balik-tanaw ni Rachel (published as is): “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.

“As kids, we tagged along to all his activities, be it shows, rehearsals, basketball games — it didn’t matter what it was.

“We would fall asleep at Dolphy’s house if he was there for an all-night poker game.

“There was nowhere else we would rather be than by his side because every minute in his presence was fun.”

“Even as adults, we craved his company even as we got married and went about our own lives.”

RACHEL ALEJANDRO ON HAJJI ALEJANDRO AS OPM ICON

Hanga si Rachel kung paano si Hajji bilang respetadong singer at kung paano siya sa labas ng trabaho.

Lahad pa niya (published as is): “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.

“He loved to make people laugh as much as he loved to sing and dance.

“My Dad never had a talent manager (except recently when he asked his partner, Alynna, to handle his bookings) rarely posted on social media and never needed to pay for any sort of PR or marketing.

“He was a bonafide star and his success was purely because talent, hard work and charisma.

Noong April 11, nakapanayam ng PEP Troika si Rachel at optimistic pa niyang sinabi na “doing better” si Hajji.

Excited daw si Hajji na magbalik-entablado, lalo pa’t hindi raw nakasama si Hajji sa tour ng APO and the Hitmakers.

Sinabi pa noon ni Rachel na umaasa siyang makakasama rin niya ulit mag-perform ang ama.

Pero makalipas ang sampung araw, tuluyang ginapi si Hajji ng colon cancer.

RACHEL ALEJANDRO ON HAJJI ALEJANDRO WANTING TO RECOVER

Balik sa tribute ni Rachel, pagbabahagi niya sa huling panahong nakapiling ang ama (published as is):

“When he got ill, he asked us to keep it private, which is why none of his family ever spoke about it.

“He was fully prepared to get well and get back to work, which was why he wanted to avoid word leaking out about his sickness.

“My Dad was a happy, optimistic man who valued having a good, comfortable life, yes, but more importantly, he prioritized providing for his partner, mother and children.

“And his way of doing that from the time he had me at the young age of 19, was through his golden singing voice, which is why regardless of how he was feeling, he never cancelled shows.

“Even when he was already in considerable pain, he performed in 2 more events before he was admitted into the hospital for surgery.”

Sobra raw ang pagmamahal ni Hajji sa craft nito.

Pagpapatuloy ni Rachel (published as is): “For Dad, every show is a blessing and performing for you all is our highest calling as singers.

“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.”

A PROMISE TO HER FATHER

Sa huli, isang pangako ang iniwan ni Rachel bilang pagpupugay niya kay Hajji.

Ani Rachel (published as is): “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.

“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.

“I will now just be singing and dancing with Dad in my dreams…”