As the final days of 2025 tick away, communities across Cebu are immersed in vibrant preparations to welcome 2026, blending festive energy with deep-rooted cultural practices.
Fireworks Demand Set to Ignite Price Hikes
In Lapu-Lapu City, the spirit of the season is palpable at the designated retail zone along New Takan Road in Barangay Babag. Vendor Rosalie Cedimo has ensured her stall is fully stocked with an array of colorful fireworks, anticipating the surge in buyers. As of Saturday, December 27, 2025, prices have remained stable. However, Cedimo and other retailers expect costs to climb on Tuesday, December 30, and Wednesday, December 31, as demand reaches its peak.
This tradition of lighting firecrackers and fireworks is a cornerstone of Filipino New Year celebrations. Many believe the loud noises drive away misfortune and evil spirits, ensuring the coming year begins with a clean slate and joyful noise.
Round Fruits for a Prosperous Media Noche
Meanwhile, in Cebu City near the Ramos Public Market, another symbolic preparation is underway. Vendors have prominently displayed piles of round fruits—from grapes and oranges to melons and pomelos—catering to shoppers seeking the essential items for their Media Noche (midnight feast).
The practice involves gathering 12 different varieties of round fruits. This ritual is rich in symbolism: the round shape mimics coins, representing financial prosperity and wealth. The number 12 corresponds to the months of the year, a belief that it invites continuous luck and abundance throughout all of 2026.
A Hopeful Outlook for 2026
From the crackling anticipation at fireworks stalls to the careful selection of fruits for the family table, these customs are more than mere routine. They reflect the collective hopeful outlook of Cebuanos. The blend of excitement for the festivities and reverence for tradition showcases a community ready to bid farewell to the old year and embrace the new with optimism and unity.
These preparations, observed in cities like Lapu-Lapu and Cebu City, form a tapestry of sensory experiences—the smell of gunpowder, the vibrant colors of pyrotechnics, and the fresh bounty of fruits—all signaling a festive and hopeful transition into 2026.
