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 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
- 25: The Silver Anniversary Album Of Hajji Alejandro
Singles
- "Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika" (original composition by Ryan Cayabyab) - also covered by Cayabyab and Noel Cabangon.
- "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.