Rachel Alejandro, admits she had difficulty respecting Dad Hajji's choice for palliative care
· Rachel Alejandro revealed that she still breaks down daily over the loss of her father, Hajji Alejandro, who passed away in April
MAKI-TINGIN KA NAMAN: Pwede ka nang mag-comment sa mga artikulo ng KAMI! Subukan mo, madali lang!
· She copes by constantly sharing funny stories and memories of her late father with people
· Rachel recounted the difficult final conversation where she respected Hajji's wish to forego treatment and opt for palliative care at home
· The OPM singer admitted to moments of self-doubt, wondering if she should have convinced her father to fight his illness
OPM singer and actress Rachel Alejandro offered a deeply personal and poignant glimpse into her ongoing journey of grief following the passing of her beloved father, music legend Hajji Alejandro, in April of this year.
Source: Instagram
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!
During a joint guesting on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda alongside her close friend Geneva Cruz this Thursday, Rachel spoke candidly about how the simple moments continue to trigger overwhelming sadness.
Rachel shared that even months after her father's passing due to illness, the waves of grief are unpredictable.
"Everyday, kunwari, I'm outside, naglalakad lang ako sa New York. Minsan, I'll just break down, kasi may maaalala akong moment of us performing together or he said something funny," she confessed.
These sudden emotional breaks are often sparked by a fond memory, such as a moment they shared performing together, or something humorous her father once said.
As a coping mechanism, the singer finds herself naturally sharing stories about her father with anyone she encounters.
"And I find myself, when I’m with people, I tend to tell them stories of, you know, ‘My dad said this,’ ‘He said this funny thing,’ He tells stories upon stories ng mga just funny moments with him," she recounted, emphasizing how keeping his vibrant personality alive through anecdotes helps her process the loss.
Rachel also bravely detailed the incredibly difficult final conversations she had with her father.
These discussions revolved around honoring his wishes for the end of his life, particularly his decision to forgo aggressive treatment and instead remain at home for palliative care.
"It was very, in the end e," Rachel shared, her voice heavy with emotion. "You know, parang I just wanted him to tell me ano ang mga bilin [niya]. At the end, I wanted him to tell me what he wanted. And of course, a lot of it had to do with kung gusto ba niyang to go back to the hospital. Kasi he decided to stay at home. He just wanted to do palliative care. So yung mga gano'n, at the end, it was about things like that."
She admitted that watching her father choose comfort over a relentless fight against his illness was agonizing.
"Oo, na gusto niya lang ‘yun, nasa bahay na lang siya. Ayaw na niyang magpagamot. And of course, talagang I wanted, oh my God, that was the hardest. Kasi gusto ko siyang lumaban sana," she said.
However, despite her deep desire for him to continue treatment, her immense love and respect for her father ultimately led her to honor his decision.
"Alam mo, no. Kasi sobra akong… sobra akong respectful at sobra ko siyang mahal na hindi ko masabi sa kaniya, ‘Oh my God, lumaban ka.’ Parang, ‘Okay, Dad,’ gano'n na lang. I just wanted to respect what he wanted," Rachel explained, revealing the profound sacrifice of her own wishes for his peace.
She admitted to moments of regret, contemplating whether she should have been more insistent. "So, in a way, minsan I think about it na dapat lang pinilit ko."
Show host Boy Abunda offered comforting words, acknowledging, "I understand. Hindi, ibibigay mo. That's coming from a space of love."
Rachel expressed gratitude for the support of her husband, Carlos Santamaria, who has been her rock throughout the mourning period.
Her friend, Geneva Cruz, echoed the sentiment of loss, sharing her own memories of the OPM icon. "Kasi sobrang bait niya talaga. Lagi akong invited sa mga family gatherings nila (Rachel)," Geneva recalled. "So, never ko siyang nakita na hindi nakangiti. And plus, I'm a fan of his."
She praised his enduring talent, noting that he was a brilliant and professional performer whose voice and stage presence remained outstanding even in his later years.
Geneva concluded by reflecting on the difficulty of witnessing Rachel's pain, particularly during the time Hajji was in the hospital, describing it as "tearing her apart" to see her powerful father and idol in a weakened state.
Hajji Alejandro, born Angelito Toledo Alejandro, was a pillar of OPM, known for iconic hits like "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika" and "Panakip-butas." His legacy lives on through his music and the deep love felt by his family.
Hajji Alejandro was a Pinoy singer and actor Alaminos, Pangasinan. Born in December 26, 1954, Hajji became a major pop star in the 1970s and 1980s. Like another OPM legend, Basil Valdez, Hajji also came from the group Circus Band. He was also the first winner of the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival with his song interpretation of “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” composed by Ryan Cayabyab. He also won the grand prize at the Seoul International Music Festival in South Korea. Hajji died April 22, 2025 after a battle with colon cancer.
Last April, Rachel expressed gratitude to Alynna Velasquez for her love for Rachel's father, Hajji Alejandro. A misunderstanding occurred between Hajji's family and Velasquez following the singer's hospitalization. Velasquez was unable to attend Hajji's wake but sent a message of love and gratitude. Despite the disagreement, Velasquez still paid tribute to Hajji's memory and her strong bond with Rachel.
Around the same time, Rachel, in a social media post, paid a heartfelt tribute to her late father, OPM icon Hajji Alejandro. The singer shared touching memories and acknowledged the profound influence that her father has on her. Rachel recounts his unwavering commitment to his family and his craft, never cancelling shows despite pain. The singer’s social media post received widespread support and fond memories of Hajji Alejandro.
Bagong feature: Tingnan ang mga balitang para sa'yo ➡️ hanapin ang "Recommended for you" block at mag-enjoy!
Source: KAMI.com.gh
