ILOILO City — Across the Philippines, a vibrant New Year tradition continues to brighten homes: the preparation of round fruits believed to usher in luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
For many families, this practice is more than decoration; it embodies hope, heritage, and the promise of abundance.
In Barangay Poblacion Ilawod, Sara, Iloilo, 61-year-old retiree Ma. Janette A. Palmes carefully arranges an array of round fruits on her Media Noche table, each representing a month of the year.
says Ma. Janette A. Palmes. NELJOY N. GALIGAO/PN
“Some families choose to set out 12 or even 13 fruits,” Palmes explained. “These round fruits, being circular, symbolize coins and invite wealth into our homes. Even if you don’t have a complete set, the presence of fruit embodies abundance and hope.”
This fusion of Filipino and Chinese cultural practices has become a staple in Filipino New Year celebrations, where the circular shapes of fruits resonate with prosperity. Palmes’ display also includes 12 eggs surrounding a bowl of rice, coins at the center, and other items symbolizing sustenance and wealth.
Similarly, Bonny Ovas, 60, of Jaro, Iloilo City, said the tradition sets a positive tone for the year.
“We believe that having a complete table of fruits can lead to a more blessed life,” he said. “It’s powerful to start the year with a table that reflects abundance, as it sets the tone for the days to come.”
Ovas stressed that the tradition is not just about personal gain. It fosters communal bonds and reinforces family values, reminding participants of the hard work behind their daily lives. He also acknowledged that some families may not be able to fully observe the practice, urging others to pray for and support those less fortunate.
However, not everyone ties luck to fruits alone. Noemi Janito, 44, a member of a born-again Christian community in Jaro, urged a balanced perspective.
“I appreciate the beauty of the tradition, especially during Christmas, but luck isn’t guaranteed by merely placing fruits on a table,” she said. “Every day, there are fruits on different tables, but that doesn’t guarantee good fortune. Personal effort and faith are equally important.”
Echoing this sentiment, 27-year-old fruit vendor “Aiah” from Passi City, Iloilo said, “Traditions are meaningful, but luck comes from the actions we take. At the end of the day, we are the ones holding the reins to our destiny.”
As the New Year approaches, the custom of preparing round fruits continues to spark conversations about luck, belief, and prosperity. For many Filipino families, each table laden with fruits symbolizes both hope for the year ahead and the values of hard work, determination, and faith that underpin every success story.
In the end, while traditions provide symbolic gestures toward good fortune, the real magic, residents agree, lies in personal commitment to shaping one’s own destiny./PN
