Hajji Alejandro
Angelito Toledo "Hajji" Alejandro (born December 26, 1954) is a Filipino singer and actor, who was a major pop star in the 1970s and 1980s.[1] Just like another OPM legend Basil Valdez, he came from the group Circus Band. He was the first winner of the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival.
Hajji Alejandro | |
---|---|
Birth name | Angelito Toledo Alejandro |
Born | December 26, 1954 |
Origin | Manila, Philippines |
Genres | Pop |
Occupation(s) | Musician, actor |
Instruments | Singing |
Years active | 1976–present |
Associated acts | Circus Band Ryan Cayabyab Rachel Alejandro MYMP Roselle Nava Ali Alejandro |
Dubbed the "kilabot ng mga kolehiyala" (college girls' heartthrob), Alejandro is best remembered for such songs as "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika", "Panakíp Butas" and "Nakapagtataka".[2]
Career
Hajji still performing since 1976 and also celebrating his 45th anniversary showbiz in 2018.
Personal life
In the 1980s, Alejandro operated a small restaurant along Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California with wife, beauty queen and actress Rio Diaz. They have a son, Delara drummer Ali Alejandro. Rio Diaz died of colorectal cancer in 2004.
Alejandro is also the father of singer Rachel Alejandro.
Discography
Albums
- 18 Greatest Hits
- Collection
- Pagbabalik (1992)[3]
- 25: The Silver Anniversary Album Of Hajji Alejandro
Singles
- "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika" (original composition by Ryan Cayabyab, 1978)
- "Nakapagtataka" (original composition by Jim Paredes) - also covered by the APO Hiking Society, Rachel Alejandro, MYMP and Noel Cabangon)
- "Panakip Butas" (Alejandro re-recorded the song for his Silver Anniversary Album released by Sony BMG Music in 1996) - also covered by the trio Tito, Vic & Joey as a parody in their 1977 debut album. This was also the title of the movie he co-starred with Superstar Nora Aunor and sexy star Trixia Gomez in 1977. And in 1993, also covered by Mr. Richard Reynoso.
- "May Minamahal" (Alejandro re-recorded the song for his Silver Anniversary Album released by Sony BMG Music in 1996) - also covered by his daughter Rachel Alejandro, Agot Isidro, Erik Santos, Ronnie Lliang, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid & The Juans)
References
- Lockard, Craig A. (1998). Dance of Life: Popular Music and Politics in Southeast Asia. University of Hawaii Press. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-8248-1918-7.
- "Hajji and Rachel Alejandro in Tagaytay". Manila Bulletin. 14 February 2003. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
- Paras, Mina (August 22, 1992). "A much mellowed "kilabot" is back". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 20. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
These days, Hajji, whose latest album, "Pagbabalik," has recently been released and hitting the airlanes...