In the Philippines' New Year's Eve customs, round shapes are emphasized in foods and decorations to attract prosperity.
Many Filipino families prepare twelve round fruits for Media Noche, the midnight feast marking the arrival of the new year. The fruits represent the twelve months ahead, while their circular shape is associated with coins and financial fortune. Common choices include oranges, grapes, apples, and other round fruit, although the exact selection varies by household.
Round objects may also appear in clothing patterns, table settings, and decorations. The custom reflects a broader Filipino New Year's emphasis on attracting abundance and pushing away bad luck. Some families also make loud noises at midnight, believing the sound helps drive away misfortune.
The twelve-fruit practice is sometimes confused with Spain's twelve-grape tradition. Both use twelve pieces of fruit and relate them to the months, but the Filipino custom generally focuses on a selection of round fruits displayed for the midnight meal rather than requiring twelve grapes to be eaten with twelve clock chimes.