CNN iReport

One of the traditions followed by people from the Philippines during New Year is preparing 13 kinds of fruits. These fruits should be round and sweet.

Some of you may ask “Why 13? That’s an unlucky number?”. Well for our Chinese brothers and sisters, 13 is actually a lucky number and having round fruits signifies coins so having a lot will bring luck and prosperity this coming 2009.

Another belief is that when you eat 12 pieces of grapes at 12midnight of New Year, it will bring you wealth and more luck for the next 12 months of the coming year.

Fruit sellers are almost everywhere now the New Year is around the corner. For sure, the fruit sellers are already experiencing the luck and prosperity way ahead of everyone else.

Most people follow these traditions because of the luck that they would like to earn. Knowing that the economic situation in the US will affect the Philippines, most of the people would like to grab the opportunity to put things in their favor. Sometimes, effort in earning a living is not enough, people resort to beliefs to help them strive better even if its only on the psychological level.

Happy New Year!