In the Philippines, round fruits are traditionally favored in New Year's Eve displays to symbolize prosperity.
Families often prepare 12 or 13 different round fruits for Media Noche, the midnight meal welcoming the new year. Their circular shape is associated with coins and wealth, while the number 12 is commonly connected with the months of the coming year. Examples may include oranges, grapes, apples, melons, and other locally available fruit.
The practice is a folk tradition rather than a single religious requirement, so the exact fruit selection and number can vary between households. Some families also wear polka dots or place coins nearby, extending the same round-money symbolism.
The tradition is sometimes described as requiring exactly one particular fruit, but there is no universal list. The stable defining feature is the emphasis on round shapes and their association with abundance and financial good fortune.