The Filipino New Year's Eve feast featuring twelve round fruits is called Media Noche.
Media Noche means “midnight” in Spanish and refers to the family meal eaten as the old year changes into the new one. Round fruits are favored because their shape resembles coins, while the number twelve represents the months ahead. Families may also serve noodles for long life and sticky rice to symbolize togetherness.
At midnight, many Filipinos make noise with fireworks, horns or clapping. Some traditions involve jumping or wearing polka dots, linking circles with abundance and luck.
Practices differ among households, and the twelve-fruit arrangement is a folk custom rather than a religious requirement. Media Noche should not be confused with Noche Buena, the Christmas Eve meal celebrated on December 24.