For nearly thirteen years, few athlete-brand collaborations have resonated as deeply as Stephen Curry and Under Armour’s Curry Brand partnership. From an overlooked young sharpshooter to a transcendent NBA legend and cultural icon, Curry’s trajectory has been tightly intertwined with his signature footwear line. After a decade of evolution, innovation, and global influence, this story reaches a major milestone: the impending release of the final Under Armour collaboration — the Curry 13, set to debut in February 2026.  This shoe symbolizes more than another sneaker drop. It represents the culmination of a remarkable journey in which both athlete and brand defied expectations and reshaped basketball shoe culture. In an era where elite players increasingly serve as visionaries rather than just pitchmen, Curry’s imprint on performance design and storytelling has been profound. The Curry 13 not only marks the end of a partnership but crystallizes decades of innovation and identity. A L...

The Variegated Dragon Scale Alocasia (Alocasia baginda ‘Dragon Scale’ Variegata) is widely regarded as one of the most visually striking ornamental houseplants available today. Prized for its dramatic foliage, rare variegation, and sculptural presence, this plant has become a centerpiece in collections of both casual plant lovers and serious collectors. Beyond its beauty, the Variegated Dragon Scale Alocasia also offers meaningful benefits to human well-being and even contributes indirectly to the enrichment of pets’ environments when handled responsibly. Distinctive Characteristics and Aesthetic Appeal What sets the Variegated Dragon Scale Alocasia apart is its thick, heart-shaped leaves that resemble reptilian armor. The foliage features deep green veins with silvery undertones, overlaid with creamy white or pale yellow variegation. Each leaf is unique, making the plant feel like a living work of art. The textured surface adds depth and dimension, allowing it to stand out even in min...

Among the world’s most coveted houseplants, few inspire as much fascination—and shock—as the Monstera obliqua ‘Amazonas’. Often mistaken for the more common Monstera adansonii, this plant possesses such delicate, lace-like leaves that its true form looks almost unreal. Collectors call it “the unicorn of Monsteras,” not only for its ethereal appearance but also for its rarity and extraordinary price tag, which can reach thousands of dollars per plant depending on size and provenance. But what exactly makes this plant so expensive? And beyond its exotic beauty, does it offer genuine benefits for human health and well-being? The answer is yes—and understanding both the economic and wellness aspects of Monstera obliqua ‘Amazonas’ reveals why this species holds such a powerful fascination for plant lovers around the globe. Why Monstera Obliqua Amazonas Is So Expensive 1. Extreme Rarity in the Wild The Monstera obliqua originates from Central and South America, but the “Amazonas” form specif...

The Monstera Burle Marx ‘Flame’ is one of those houseplants that makes people stop and stare. At first glance its leaves don’t look like the broad, perforated Monstera deliciosa most of us know — instead they’re narrower, deeply undulating and often develop dramatic slits as they mature, giving the impression of flickering tongues of green. That sculptural silhouette, plus a backstory tied to one of Brazil’s most celebrated landscape artists, has turned the Burle Marx Flame into both a botanical curiosity and a collector’s prize.  What is it, exactly? The plant most sellers call “Monstera Burle Marx Flame” is a named cultivar that entered cultivation from Roberto Burle Marx’s garden in Brazil and was later introduced to growers and collectors. Juvenile leaves are often lance-shaped; as the plant climbs and matures, leaves broaden and fenestrate in ways that feel more architectural than tropical-houseplant-cliché. That striking form — somewhere between a Philodendron’s elegance and ...

Among today’s most sought-after houseplants, few command attention quite like the Philodendron Pink Princess. Instantly recognizable by its dramatic, dark green to nearly black leaves splashed with unpredictable blush-pink variegation, this tropical beauty feels less like a typical houseplant and more like living artwork. Each leaf is uniquely patterned—some lightly dusted with rosy streaks, others boldly marbled or even half pink—making every plant a one-of-a-kind spectacle. But beyond its visual charm lies a rewarding care journey and surprising benefits for both people and pets when managed responsibly. Native to the tropical forests of South America, the Pink Princess thrives in warm, humid environments where it climbs toward filtered sunlight beneath dense canopies. When grown indoors, recreating these conditions helps the plant flourish and retain its coveted coloration. Care Procedures: Helping Your Pink Princess Thrive Light is the most important element in caring for the Pink ...

Long before banknotes or Spanish coins arrived in the archipelago, Filipinos used gold in dozens of practical and symbolic ways: ornament, status, dowry — and currency. Among the most striking pieces of that pre-colonial monetary world are the barter rings (often called panika): ring-shaped gold ingots, sometimes as chunky as a small doughnut, that circulated alongside tiny conical “piloncitos” as a medium of exchange across the islands.  What were barter rings? Barter rings are penannular gold pieces — a circular band with a small gap — that archaeological finds and museum displays show were used in trade, dowries and as visible markers of rank among the kadatuan (the nobility). They vary enormously in size and weight: some are tiny and light, others are truly massive (examples recorded in museum and exhibition notes weigh well over 100 grams). Barter rings and piloncitos functioned in a precious-metal economy where value was determined largely by weight and purity rather than an ...

Labubu — that odd little elf with a serrated-tooth grin, fluffy suit and mischievous stare — feels like the sort of character that stepped straight out of a picture book and into Instagram. But Labubu’s rise from art-school sketch to global collectible explains a lot about why some of these dolls now command eye-watering prices: it’s a mix of story, design, scarcity, celebrity, brand strategy and pure collector psychology. Where Labubu came from Labubu began as a creation of Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, who introduced the character as part of his picture-book series The Monsters. The original artworks leaned on a blend of children’s imagination and Northern/folk storybook influences — which is why Labubu looks both adorable and a little uncanny. The small-scale toy incarnations appeared in 2015, and the character found a much wider audience when the Chinese collectible-toy retailer Pop Mart began producing and marketing Labubu figures in commercial runs.  The design that hook...

The term “Alfonso coin” in the Philippines usually refers to the Spanish-era coins struck with the portrait or name of King Alfonso XII (reigned 1874–1885) or his successor Alfonso XIII (born 1886; reigned nominally from birth, coins appear in the 1880s–1890s). These are colonial-issue coins minted for circulation in the Philippine Islands while they were still under Spanish sovereignty. They include copper, silver and gold denominations — centimos/centavos, 20-centimos/50-centavos, 1 peso (Un Peso) and rarer gold pieces. They’re prized by collectors today because they sit at the crossroads of Spanish, Philippine and world monetary history.  Which Alfonso coins are most familiar? A few types collectors encounter most often: Alfonso XII 10/20/50 centimos (1880s) — silver and copper fractional denominations struck in Manila and other Spanish mints.  Alfonso XIII 1 Peso (1897 “Un Peso”) — the last Spanish-era one-peso struck for the Philippines and an historically important piece...

For Filipino collectors and numismatics enthusiasts, old coins are more than just relics of the past—they are pieces of history that carry stories, culture, and national identity. Among the many coins that have circulated in the Philippines, one particular old 1-peso coin shocked both hobbyists and investors when it sold for an astonishing amount in a recent numismatic auction. What seemed like an ordinary silver coin turned out to be a prized treasure worth a small fortune. The coin in question was a 1906-S One Peso Coin, often regarded as the “King of Philippine Coins.” Minted during the American colonial period, the coin was part of a series produced in San Francisco. It featured the iconic image of a standing woman striking an anvil, with Mount Mayon looming in the background—a design celebrated for its artistry and symbol of the nation’s resilience. On the reverse, it bore the American eagle and shield, representing the historical ties between the Philippines and the United States...

In the tight-knit, obsessive world of Nishikigoi (koi) collectors, a single fish can become a symbol — of pedigree, of skillful breeding, and of how far someone will go for a perfect pattern. S Legend (often written “S-Legend”) is one such fish: a Kōhaku (red-and-white) koi that set the record for the highest publicly reported price ever paid for a single koi, and whose short time in the spotlight added a mournful coda when it later died. S Legend was bred by the Sakai Fish Farm family in Hiroshima, Japan — one of the most respected names in high-end koi breeding. The breeder most closely associated with S Legend is Kentaro Sakai, whose operation is known for producing show-quality specimens and refining bloodlines for decades. S Legend embodied the qualities collectors prize in a Kōhaku: an exceptionally clean, bright white body; vivid, well-defined red (hi) patterns; strong body shape and size; and overall balance and presence that made her stand out even among top-tier koi.  The...

When it comes to the “most expensive goldfish,” the story quickly becomes confusing — because, strictly speaking, there’s no well-documented instance of a goldfish (Carassius auratus) selling for millions of dollars in the way some reports claim. Much of the information floating around is actually about koi carp, which are related to goldfish but are a completely different species. Here's a deeper dive into what’s going on. The Myth of the $1.8 Million Goldfish Many sources online claim that the most expensive goldfish was sold at auction for $1.8 million, naming it “Goldie.”  However, if you dig into reputable news outlets, auction records, and scientific / breeding literature, there’s no credible proof that a goldfish (in the classic pet-store sense) has ever fetched that kind of money. What Actually Sold for $1.8 Million: A Koi Carp The fish that did sell for $1.8 million is not a goldfish — it’s a Kōhaku koi carp named S Legend.  This record-setting koi was bred by Sakai F...

Philippine banknotes are more than paper money — they are tiny time capsules. Between Spanish-era treasury notes, wartime emergency issues, and modern commemoratives printed in tiny numbers, several Filipino bills have left circulation and found new life at specialist auctions, sometimes selling for sums that surprise even experienced collectors. Below I’ll walk through why particular Philippine bills attract high prices at auction, and give real-world examples of auction results and estimates so you can see how much these notes can be worth. What makes a Philippine banknote valuable? Collectors price notes according to a mix of factors: Rarity — limited print runs, discovery notes, misprints, or notes from short-lived issuing authorities. Historical importance — notes issued during major transitions (Spanish colonial period, First Philippine Republic, U.S. territorial issues, WWII emergency currency). Condition (grade) — notes graded as Extremely Fine (EF), About Uncirculated (AU), or...