Another pillar of the Philippine entertainment industry bid farewell as Original Pilipino Music (OPM) legend Hajji Alejandro died on Monday, April 21, after a battle with stage 4 colon cancer. He was 70.

The family confirmed his death on Tuesday, April 22. “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad and son, Angelito ‘Hajji’ T. Alejandro,” a statement from the Alejandro family said, as reposted by Hajji’s manager Girlie Rodis.

The Alejandro family also requested privacy as they process the loss of the OPM icon. “At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves this tremendous loss,” the statement said.

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Hajji Alejandro’s death marks the third high-profile passing of a Filipino entertainment icon in just over a week, after “Asia’s Queen of Songs” Pilita Corrales died on April 12, and “Superstar” Nora Aunor on April 16.

Who was Hajji Alejandro?

Alejandro, known as the “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala” (college girls’ heartthrob) in his prime in the ’70s and ’80s, was best known for his timeless hit songs “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika”, “Nakapagtataka,” “Panakip Butas,” “May Minamahal,” and “Tag-araw, Tag-Ulan,” among many others.

Alejandro was discovered by fellow OPM legend Basil Valdez, who eventually recruited the young balladeer to join his group Circus Band in the ’70s.

Alejandro’s collaboration with another industry pillar, Ryan Cayabyab, for “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” won him the inaugural Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Metropop) grand prize in 1978, before he took the piece internationally and also won the International Seoul Song Festival Grand Prix in Korea.

He is survived by his children, singer and theatre artist Rachel and chef Barni, his daughters with first wife Myrna Demauro; DeLara drummer Ali, his son with second wife Rio Diaz, a beauty queen and television personality who also died of colon cancer in 2004. He also has another daughter named Michelle.