It would be impossible to talk about the Philippine music scene of the ’70s and ’80s without mentioning Hajji Alejandro.
In an era brimming with talent—many of whom would go on to become icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM)—Hajji carved out a space uniquely his own and built a legacy that remains unmistakably his.
Hajji's passing at the age of 70 has revived interest in the timeless songs he popularized and in his storied career—one that was as remarkable as it was enduring.
Read: Alynna recounts last eight days with partner Hajji Alejandro
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) looks back at the colorful career of Hajji Alejandro and the hits that endeared him to listeners.
PURSUING A MUSIC CAREER
Angelito Alejandro, nicknamed Hajji, didn’t start his music career as a solo artist.
Rather, he honed his chops as a member of the celebrated Circus Band—composed mostly of soloists from Ateneo de Manila University.
Among his bandmates were Pat Castillo, Tillie Moreno, Jacqui Magno, and Basil Valdez.
The group became famous for its outlandish costumes, theatrical makeup, and flawless renditions of foreign hits across genres, including songs by Motown legends, Burt Bacharach, Carlos Santana, Barry Manilow, and many more.
Hajji credited Basil Valdez for recognizing his potential and encouraging him to join the group.
Both would go on to become hitmakers in 1977.
However, Hajji was the first to break out as a solo artist, launching his solo career in 1976.
He was guided by prolific songwriter and arranger Willy Cruz—known for his extensive catalog of hits such as “Mahawi Man Ang Ulap,” “Kumusta Ka,” “Bituing Walang Ningning,” “Doon Lang,” and “Let the Pain Remain,” among many others.
HAJJI ALEJANDRO: THE SOLO ARTIST ERA
In 1977, Hajji’s self-titled debut album was released under Jem Records, a record label founded by Willy Cruz.
The album gave birth to some of Hajji’s earliest hits, including “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan” and “Panakip Butas,” a Filipino adaptation of “Worst That Could Happen" by The 5th Dimension.
He remembered bursting into tears the first time he heard “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan” playing on the radio.
“Natapos kong i-record tapos several weeks later, pinatugtog sa radio.
"Talagang nagda-drive ako, umiiyak ako talaga, yung feeling na talagang ang sarap, from inside nararamdaman mo,” Hajji once told PEP.
“Ganun din ang nararamdaman ko pag kinakanta ng ibang tao yung mga awitin ko.”
HAJJI ALEJANDRO: “KILABOT NG MGA KOLEHIYALA”
To promote the album, Hajji embarked on a campus tour designed to introduce the rising star to a younger audience.
It was during this time that he earned his now-legendary moniker, “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala.”
The clever marketing move not only boosted his popularity and record sales, but also led to increased radio airtime for his songs.
In a 2018 interview, Hajji credited two broadcasters for giving him the unique and catchy moniker.
“Yung mga unang concerts ko were done in colleges and universities. And in one of the beauty pageants, if I remember correctly, si Ariel Ureta that time, he used to host all the major events that time,” recalled Hajji.
“Siya at si June Keithley at that time introduced me as kilabot ng kolehiyala and then the DJs picked up on it.”
The “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala” title would be revived in the early '90s, this time bestowed by the media and his record label on balladeer Ariel Rivera.
But in an interview for Fast Talk with Boy Abunda aired on June 16, 2023, Ariel confessed disliking the moniker, saying it was “presumptuous of me to feel all these kolehiyalas love me.”
Ariel also disliked the feeling that he was taking over someone else’s title.
"Wala naman akong alam sa history of OPM at that time. But how could you take somebody's title when there’s already somebody who has that title?” asked Ariel.
For his part, Hajji shared during a May 2018 press conference that he somewhat agreed with Ariel’s sentiments.
“Madami na kasi through the years, di ba? Nung napunta ako sa Amerika ng five years, ang daming naging kilabot nung time na yun, di ba? Mga bagong artista nun. Naging kaibigan ko rin sila, and I think hindi nila gusto yun, e,” remarked Hajji.
He further lamented, “Yung mga managers nila ang pumili nun because they’re saying isa lang yun.
“’Di ba tayo puwedeng mag-isip ng sarili nating moniker, di ba? Kasi iba when you say original. Ikaw ba gusto mong sabihin na ikaw na yung bagong ganito or susunod na ganito? Why not make your own mark, yung ikaw yung original.
“So I cannot say susunod na 'Kilabot Ng Mga Kolehiyala' si ganito. Baka magalit pa sa akin yun.”
Read: Ariel Rivera reveals disliking "Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala" moniker
FIRST METROPOP WINNER
Hajji competed in the inaugural Metro Manila Popular Music Festival or Metropop in 1978.
His interpretation of Ryan Cayabyab's song “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” won the grand prize, besting a solid competition that included “Anak” by Freddie Aguilar, “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy” by Heber Bartolome, and “Pagdating Mo” by Celeste Legaspi, to name some.
“We rehearsed that choreography day in and day out for weeks prior to the contest until such time that the movements became second nature to me when I sing the song,” Hajji told entertainment columnist Leah Salterio.
“So came the day of the competition, I was just bursting with confidence, knowing exactly what I needed to do to win.”
As it turned out, “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” became arguably the most iconic song of Hajji’s illustrious music career.
BREAKING A NEW GROUND FOR FILIPINO ARTISTS
Buoyed by the success of his Metropop stint, Hajji, along with Ryan Cayabyab, flew to South Korea to represent the Philippines at the International Seoul Song Festival.
Once again, “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” won—becoming the first Filipino song to win an international award.
Hajji also earned the prestigious Best Singer award, marking another milestone in his remarkable career.
MORE HITS FROM HAJJI
Hajji’s success continued and his triumphs in competitions only solidified his standing among the hottest OPM singers during the '70s and '80s.
Other hit songs associated with Hajji include “May Minamahal” written by Willy Cruz, and “Nakapagtataka” penned by Jim Paredes of the APO Hiking Society.
Jim described Hajji as a singer with a “clear tenor voice” and blessed with a “wide dynamic range.”
“He had that magic quality that could make any song soar,” Jim told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“Great musicality, too. He was all heart,” he continued. “We had many memories when we were just starting OPM. His career was built on it.”
HAJJI ALEJANDRO’S CHILDREN
Hajji had four children: Rachel and Barni, his daughters with Myrna Demauro; Ali, his son with the late beauty queen Rio Diaz; and Michelle.
In the 1980s, Hajji and Rio moved to the United States, where they ventured into the restaurant business in Los Angeles. However, the business eventually closed, prompting both Rio and Hajji to return to the Philippines and resume their showbiz careers.
Hajji’s music talent was inherited by his daughter Rachel and son Ali.
Rachel is a successful singer herself, as proven by the hit songs she popularized, including “Mr. Kupido,” “Kay Tagal,” and her renditions of Hajji’s hit songs “Nakapagtataka” and “May Minamahal.”
Ali, on the other hand, is a drummer and currently a member of the pop-rock band Mojofly.
“One of the things that I have always admired most about my dad is his great sense of humor and ability to make light of any situation,” wrote Rachel in a piece published by Rappler on June 16, 2013.
“He always manages to see the positive angle. He’s not religious or anything, but he never forgets to give thanks for all his blessings.”