In the Philippines, 12 round fruits are commonly served as a New Year's Eve symbol of prosperity.
The fruits are chosen for their round shape, which is associated with coins and wealth. Families often place them on the New Year's table or prepare them for the midnight celebration. The customary set is commonly described as 12 fruits, representing the 12 months of the coming year.
The practice is part of a wider Filipino New Year tradition emphasizing round shapes and other symbols of abundance. Some families also wear polka dots, keep coins, or make loud sounds at midnight. These customs are intended to encourage prosperity and drive away bad luck.
The exact fruit selection is not universal. Apples, oranges, grapes, melons, and other round fruits may be used, so the answer is not the name of one particular fruit. The important features are the number 12 and the round shape. This tradition is separate from Spain's twelve grapes, even though both customs connect twelve pieces of fruit with the new year.