Pinoys start buying round fruits for Media Noche

Some buyers have started buying round fruits on Wednesday, a day after Christmas, for Media Noche, the traditional New Year's Eve midnight meal, while prices are still low.

In Binondo, kiat-kiat costs P100 per three bags, while grapes cost P100 per bag.

Ponkan costs P50 for seven pieces while lemon and pear cost P100 for six pieces.

To save money, buyers were advised to purchase round fruits in bulk.

A store in Binondo also sells fruits wholesale, helping buyers to save money.

A box of grapes costs from P1,400 to P1,659 per box (with eight to 10 bags) while kiat-kiat costs P800 per box.

A box of ponkan (72 pieces) goes for P650; apple, P1,300; pear (96 pieces), P850; kiwi (36 pieces), P750; orange (64 pieces), P1,200; persimmon, P1,600; and cherry, P5,200 per box.

Also, some buyers went shopping early to avoid big crowds in markets.

Round fruits are said to bring good luck in the coming year, according to popular belief.

“Bumibili po kasi naniniwala kami sa kasabihan na pampasuwerte daw sa Bagong Taon,” buyer Ryan Tulog said.

According to fruit stand supervisor Ruby Patricio, round fruits will get more expensive as the New Year’s Eve approaches. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News