In the Philippines, twelve round fruits are traditionally displayed or eaten for New Year's luck.
The practice is associated with prosperity because round shapes resemble coins. Families commonly arrange twelve different round fruits on the New Year's table, with the number representing the twelve months of the coming year. Examples may include grapes, oranges, apples, melons, and other locally available produce.
Some households use twelve fruits, while others may include thirteen or simply emphasize as many round fruits as possible. The twelve-fruit version is the most commonly cited form of the tradition and is the clearest answer to a standard trivia question.
This custom is part of a broader set of Filipino New Year's practices involving circles, coins, and sounds. People may keep coins in pockets, wear polka dots, or make noise at midnight. These practices are popularly understood as ways to attract abundance and drive away bad luck.