HAJJI ALEJANDRO is the original Kilabot ng mga Colegiala at the height of his singing career in the early 70s. He was so hot then he was even paired with Nora Aunor in “Panakip Butas” while singing hits like “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” and “Nakapagtataka”. After four decades, he remains very active and now tries musical theatre playing Zoser, Egypt’s chief minister in Atlantis Productions’ hit Broadway musical, “Aida”, written by Elton John and Tim Rice, shown at RCBC Theatre Makati from June 24 to July 10. He gets to co-star with his eldest daughter, Rachel, who plays Princess Amneris. “The last time I did theatre was more than 10 years ago in the late Nick Joaquin’s ‘Larawan’ at CCP,” he says. “I’ve seen the plays of Atlantis with my daughter Rachel like ‘Avenue Q’ and ‘Xanadu’ and I really like to work with them. So when they offered me ‘Aida’, I had no second thoughts in accepting it as I also like to get to work with Rachel. But the one who plays my son here is DJ Myke Salomon as Radames, who I want to marry Rachel as Princess Amneris, but he instead falls in love with the slave Adia played by Ima Castro. Akong contravida sa kanila. I have two production numbers with the cast that are real show stoppers.”
Is it true he had a falling out with the group of Rico Puno, Nonoy Zuniga and Marco Sison so he’s no longer included in their gigs? “No, nagpaalam ako sa kanila ng maayos. Kasi we’ve been together for 7 years na and I felt we’re losing our individuality dahil lagi na lang kaming package deal. Last year, I did shows with Rachel and other singers naman. But we’ve all remained friends and I’m open to do shows with them again.”
How’s his son with the late Rio Diaz, Ali? “I’m so proud of him. He just finished fine arts at Kalayaan College and he’s magna cum laude. His Uncle Charlie Cojuangco opened an art gallery and he’s now managing it, but he’s still active with two bands, including Mojofly where he’s the drummer. He’s really a musician.”
How would he assess his life and career at this point? “I love it all. My singing has taken me all over the world, doing concerts in all-expenses paid trips to the most beautiful places and even being paid for it.”