Marco Sison is still coming to terms with the loss of his friend and fellow Hitmaker Hajji Alejandro, who passed away in April this year.
On the sidelines of his presscon for his July 25 major concert “Seasons of OPM” at The Theatre at Solaire, the veteran singer recalled to The STAR their last show together and the friendship they shared off stage and behind the scenes.
He told this paper that his friend’s death after a battle with Stage 4 colon cancer was just as shocking to them as it was to the OPM community and fans.
“Hindi siya masalita (Hajji). Hindi siya makwento,” Marco began. “We even had a concert on Feb. 13 in Vigan. Sobrang saya namin dun, pawis na pawis pa nga siya.”
But just a few days after the show, Marco received the unfortunate news.
“After a few days, I learned that he was brought to the hospital. Tinanggalan na siya ng kung ano ang tinanggal sa kanya…. Nagtanong ako, ‘Kailan tayo pupunta (bibisita)?’ Sabi, ‘Sa bahay na lang kasi magre-recover.’ Nung nasa bahay na siya, (I asked) kung kailan kami pupunta, sabi nila, ‘Huwag na muna.’ Siguro nahihiya siya sa itsura niya. Hanggang sa… nawala siya. Sabi ko talaga, ano yun?”
He never got to see Hajji again.
“Hindi ko na siya nakita physically. Yung urn na. So, my last memory of him was when we were seated next to each other after the show. We were eating, tapos masarap yung kwentuhan. It was there where I invited them to my (solo concert). And they said, no problem. We were OK. He even asked, ‘When is that?’
“That was Feb. 13 at midnight. Then, he went into the room first. You know how hotels in Vigan are, they feel like regular houses. There was the room, and there was this long table, and he went inside… and that was the last time I saw him.
“Because we had no communication after that (event). Siguro nahihiya siya sa itsura niya. I really don’t know. But we respected that. Kaya lang, yun bang parang ba’t ganun? Parang… ano ba yun? What was that? Nakanganga ka lang, ano yung nangyari? Oo sana (nakapag-ba-bye)… But wala.
“So, that was my last memory of him. He stood up and said, ‘Mauna na ako sa inyo.’ I thought he was just going to the CR but he didn’t return.”
Beyond those final moments they spent with their good friend, Marco fondly remembered Hajji for the role that he played in their group, Hitmakers.
“Grabe yung sense of humor niya, very unique. He was smart. He was the one who negotiated on our behalf. When it came to jokes, almost all the punchlines came from him. He would observe everything around us, wherever we were,” shared Marco.
“For example, if we were on the East Coast and it was really cold, that’s where the jokes would come from. These were jokes he came up with just minutes before we went on stage, so they felt fresh.
“And he was also the one who always stressed out over the sound system. So kami, relaxed kami, yung nerbiyos namin, kinuha niya (So the rest of us were relaxed because he carried all the nerves for us).”
Now all set for his own solo concert in years, Marco is reuniting with the rest of the Hitmakers, Rey Valera and Nonoy Zuñiga.
“That’s why I have them as guests because people for sure will look for them. Wala akong ka choice-choice?” he quipped.
When asked if a tribute to Hajji will be part of the show, Marco confirmed: “I told them, let me pay tribute to Hajji Alejandro, since this is my show, sabi ko sa kanilang dalawa and pumayag naman.
“Actually, si Rey Valera ang kontrabida diyan,” he jokingly added.
“Sabi ko show ko ‘to. Kasi ang dalawang yan ang magkakampi talaga.”
As for the future of the Hitmakers after Hajji’s passing, Marco said they’ve not performed together since then. They were supposed to mount one next year.
There are questions now though about any plans on adding a new member to the group that also once included the late Rico J. Puno.
“We were supposed to do a concert next year. Kaya nila sinasabi, sino na kasama niyo, magdadagdag ba kayo? Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan but initially (we’re thinking)… hindi naman siguro. Kasi panibagong start ng pakisama yun. Because with us, when we started, we had bonding almost every night.
“We’re not solved yet on the idea (of adding a member). If ever we have a big concert next year, (we’re thinking of) inviting two women (performers) who also have their share of hit songs.” Names who have cropped up include Pops Fernandez and Hajji’s own daughter, Rachel Alejandro, both of whom they have also performed in the past.
Meanwhile, Marco’s “Seasons of OPM” that’s happening tonight at Solaire’s The Theatre promises to be a journey through Filipino songs and not just his biggest hits, from kundiman to the love songs and ballads of the ‘70s to today. With music direction by Louie Ocampo and direction by Calvin Neria, the show is set to be an evening of nostalgia, camaraderie and humor, with a setlist unlike any he’s done before. Produced by Echo Jham Entertainment and Toplex Advertising, “Seasons of OPM” will also feature Vice Ganda and Martin Nievera as special guests. Tickets are still available via TicketWorld and the Solaire box office.
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