Round fruit a common feature of Pinoys’ New Year’s Eve feast

'Tis the season to buy round fruit from local vendors again, as 2013 races to a finish. Considered cheap and tasty good luck charms for the new year, round fruits are a staple of any Filipino media noche table. And those wanting to continue the tradition this year are advised to buy them now before prices start rising as Dec. 31 approaches.

According to a report on "24 Oras" Thursday, the current prices of popular fruits are as follows:

• Melon - P25 to P30/piece
• Pear - P10 to P20/piece
• Longgan - P120 to P140/piece
• Ponkan - P5 to P10/piece
• Kiat-kiat - P50/pack
• Grapes (dependent on type) - P180 to P220/kilo

"Yung maliliit na pinya, kahit di siya makain, basta may pinya, bayabas, kahit di makain, basta kumpleto lang yung display natin," said Marino Puno, a fruit vendor at Mega-Q Mart.

The Year of the Horse

Feng shui fans might also want to buy round fruit, as round and green are the "lucky" shape and color of 2014.

Rearing stallion figurines will also grace their shelves and tabletops, as 2014 is the Year of the Wood Horse.

You don't have to stick to just wood either, said sellers. "Lahat naman pwede. Pwede siyang jade, gold, at white, mas maganda lang nakataas ang paa kasi it symbolizes victory or success," said Denise Doratan Chua, a feng shui shop owner.
 
Those born under the year of the rat may also want to take more precautions than others, since the rat is in conflict with the horse.

"Ang conflict sign ng rat is horse so mas marami siyang challenges... 'Wag sobra ang fight sa gustong makiaway sa kanya, basta lie low lang, gawin lang niya ang dapat gawin," said feng shui shop owner Evelyn Doratan Balay.

However, feng shui experts still recommend exertion on part of everyone if they want to have a good year, since round fruit and hewn horses could only bring so much luck. — Rie Takumi/BM, GMA News