The Philippine New Year’s Eve midnight feast featuring twelve round fruits is called Media Noche.
Media Noche means “midnight” in Spanish and refers to the family feast held as the old year changes into the new. Round fruits are commonly displayed because their shape resembles coins and symbolizes prosperity. Twelve fruits are often chosen to represent the twelve months ahead.
Families may also emphasize other round objects, polka dots, coins, and foods believed to attract abundance. The meal can include regional dishes and foods associated with good fortune, so practices vary substantially between households.
Media Noche is distinct from Noche Buena, the Christmas Eve feast held on December 24. Both names come from Spanish, but they mark different celebrations. The midnight meal also differs from the public countdown events held in Philippine cities and communities.