The traditional New Year’s Eve celebration in the Philippines, when families display 12 round fruits, is called Media Noche.
Media Noche literally means “midnight” and refers to the midnight feast shared by Filipino families as December 31 turns into January 1. The meal commonly includes twelve round fruits, with the circular shape associated with coins and prosperity. The twelve fruits are also linked to the twelve months of the coming year.
Families may choose fruits such as oranges, apples, grapes, melons, or other round produce. Other customs include making noise at midnight, wearing polka dots, and serving foods believed to symbolize abundance, although practices differ between households and regions.
Media Noche should not be confused with Noche Buena, the Christmas Eve meal traditionally eaten on December 24. Both are important Filipino family gatherings, but Media Noche specifically marks the transition into the New Year.