BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – What is a New Year’s celebration without some beliefs?
Traditionally, Filipinos prepare “lucky” round fruits that symbolize each month for a whole year of abundance.
A day before New Year’s Eve, Ilonggos crowd fruit stalls across the city to make sure they have this “lucky” centerpiece for tables when the New Year comes.
Panay News particularly surveyed Jaro district on Friday, Dec. 30.
According to fruit vendor Rodelyn Penas, her earnings this year are better than last year because pandemic restrictions have been loosened. She has been a fruit vendor for eight years.
“Mas okay ang benta namon subong kay normal na gid. Damo na tawo gapamakal compare mo sang ligad tuig. Madahog gawa ang bentahanay subong,” said Penas.
She said round fruits are still in demand.
“Amo na ang nakagawi-an sang tanan kag ang nakita naton sa mga katigulangan nga ginasunod gid sa gihapon sang halos tanan,” said Penas.
Meanwhile, Ma. Delsa Lancita said she does not have much income this year because almost all of the necessities have increased in cost. Lancita has been a fruit vendor for 18 years.
“Pigado gyapon ang baklanay subong kay puro naman mahal ang mga balaklon. Mahal amon capital so baligya man namon mahal, ang tao nagapang-indi man,” she lamented.
Lancita, however, added that although fruits are said to symbolize prosperity and wealth, beliefs should be coupled with genuine hard work.
“Sa tuod lang daw wala man gid na rason ang prutas sa New Year. Galing muna lang daw nasanay na kita nga swerte ina. Pero, te, kun muna lang patihan mo wala man na gihapon. Himakas gyapon, indi nga mahulat ka lang sa swerte sang 13 fruits,” she commented.
Fruits may be bought per piece, per tangkay, per pack/net/bag, or per kilo. There are also those who sell a complete set. Below is a price list of fruits:
* Pineapple – P30 to P80 per piece
* Apple – three pieces for P100
* Orange – P10 to P15 per piece
* Banana – P55 to P100 per kilo
* Watermelon – P65 to P80 per kilo
* Mango – P180 per kilo
* Chico – P80 per kilo
* Dalandan – P80 per kilo
* Melon – P120 per kilo
* Grapes – P250 to P350 per kilo
* Lychee – P300 per kilo
* Lemon – P20 each
* Pears – P35 per piece
* Papaya – P60 per kilo
* Kiat- kiat – P100 per pack (net)
* Pomelo – P80 to P120 per kilo/PN
