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One of the Christianized pre-Hispanic dances of the lowland Visayan people is this "Ohoy Alibangbang". There are many pre-Hispanic dances throughout the archipelago which mimics animals, plants and even insects. Alibangbang could be translated in the Filipino language as butterfly or dragonfly.

Audio from a vinyl phonograph LP record ("Ohoy Alibangbang, Mabuhay Singers", Villar Records MLS 5149, Mareco Inc. Undated)

Ilonggo song-dance: OHOY ALIBANGBANG -Mabuhay Singers (Rare Vinyl copy)

The butterfly is a common subject in many Philippine folk dances where the beautiful spread wings is a metaphor of many equally beautiful things like good looks, a delicate kandungga (big triangular scarf) decoration, a blossoming flower, a colorful woman's shawl or a dressed-to-kill woman going to church.

The "Ohoy! Alibangbang" from Negros and "Ining Alibangbang" from Sorsogon are song dances similar to the "Ay, ay Alibangbang!" and "Alibangbang Pula" both from Eastern Samar .

Handsome butterflies may also go courting from flower to flower as in the "Mariposa" of Pangasinan or the "Kuykuyappo" among the Isinay people of Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya.

Among the Christianized Gaddang and the Yogad people of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, the "Balamban" either mimics butterflies or a flying fish.

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
The Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts.