THE ORIGINAL KILABOT NG MGA KOLEHIYALA and OPM ICON ALSO DIES
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| Photo credit to original owner |
It is the summer season, yet it looks as if we are in the season of fall, as the Filipinos are losing in a matter of days icons in the entertainment industry much in the field of music.
Today, as I browsed my social media account I chanced upon a message expressing the loss of OPM legend Hajji Alejandro at the age of 70. Immediately, I verified, sadly, I saw a confirmation that Angelito Toledo born December 26, 1954, also known to the public as Hajji Alejandro, had passed away at the age of 70.
The Superstar Nora Aunor has just settled to her final resting place as the program for the National Artist for Film and Broadcast took some time to carry out at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. While Asia's Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales was only days after she was laid to her final place. Now, as Filipino fans continue to grieve ,(not to mention the Holy Father, Pope Francis also bid adieu to his priestly vocation on Easter Monday) , another “great” in the Philippine entertainment also bid his final goodbye to everyone. Following Hajji’s battle with stage 4 colon cancer that was made public in March 2025, he eventually succumbed to death. Alynna Velasquez, the OPM icon’s common law wife for 27 years was said to be the source of his condition.
Among Hajji’s greatest hits include Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, May Minamahal, Tag-Ulan, Tag-Araw, Panakip Butas and Nakapagtataka. Incidentally because of the popularity of Panakip Butas it was made into a movie with Hajji opposite the National Artist Nora Aunor and it was a success. The original “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala” was initially part of one of the popular music bands in the ‘70s the Circus Band. However in 1980’s Hajji went to Los Angeles, America with then wife actress-beauty queen Rio Diaz who died of colorectal cancer in October 2004. Hajji and Rio were blessed with a son Ali Alejandro, also a singer. Hajji was the first winner of Metro Manila Popular Music Festival.