Hall of Fame Authentics owner and managing partner Ron Uy

MANILA, Philippines — As sports fans begin to invest more and more in their respective fanbases, buying signature shoes, basketball cards, and the like, the hobby of collecting sports memorabilia has gotten a shot in the arm.

Buying an athlete’s signed jersey, autographed posters, game-worn shoes, or even a commemorative t-shirt or pennant are slowly becoming the ultimate dream of a fan wanting to own a piece of their favorite athlete and team.

But it may be daunting for some newcomers to start their collection, with a lot of questions needing answers — Who do I start with? Where do I even get authentic memorabilia? How am I sure I’m getting my money’s worth?

The Philippines’ very own Hall of Fame Authentics (HOFA) owner and managing partner Ron Uy, also a veteran collector himself, offers a few tips on how to delve into the niche but special hobby.

Focus on the sport you love

While Uy himself is a rabid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and the late Kobe Bryant, and thus has a wide collection of memorabilia related to the marquee franchise, he says it doesn’t always have to be most popular of sports or athletes.

For a collection to be priceless in the eyes of its owner, Uy says there must be a relationship between the collector and the memorabilia they have.

“Pick the sport that you feel a very strong connection to,” said Uy.

“Maybe your dad taught you to love the game when you were little, maybe you fell in love with it on your own. Twenty or thirty years later, you still have that same love and passion for [it]. Buy memorabilia items based on that,” he added.

Celebrate favorite teams, players

Of course, it’s a no-brainer to want to own memorabilia of the teams or athletes that you like.

If you’re a die-hard Lakers fan, or a New York Mets fan, or have pledged your allegiance to the likes of great athletes like LeBron James, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, etc., it is only logical to have them at the centerpiece of your collection.

“Owning a thing or two signed by your idol, whoever he or she is, will be a treasure of all time,” said Uy.

Be specific in looking for memorabilia

Being in the hobby for many years, Uy knows the nooks and crannies of sports memorabilia, and he knows that not all signed products are the same.

He thus advises those just starting out to be very particular with what they want.

After all, spending your hard-earned money on something like sports memorabilia should reward you with something that pleases you through and through.

“Pick out the [memorabilia] that suits your taste or really speaks to you,” said Uy.

“Pay attention to the color, consider the design. Most importantly, look at the price. Do the necessary pros and cons exercise,” he added.

Start your own memorabilia collection through Uy’s own company HOFA, the only authorized internet retailer of authenticated signed sports memorabilia in the country.

Despite only being launched in 2018, HOFA has a wide range of memorabilia with a vast array of items from various sports like basketball, football, soccer, boxing, and golf.

Source: philstar.com

If you’re thinking of a unique hobby to take up that will pay you back with huge dividends later on, try collecting authentic sports memorabilia.

Signed jerseys, autographed posters, a shoe worn by a famous athlete with his signature, a baseball thrown by a legendary player, even a commemorative t-shirt or pennant, these things have tremendous monetary value simply because they have been immortalized by their famous owners, a historic sports moment, or a legendary place.

Rabid sports memorabilia collectors search for their treasures from all places. They travel, they join collectors groups, they seek out fellow collectors to buy their collections, or they order online. Now collecting authentic sports memorabilia just got easier for Pinoy aficionados. The one and only trustworthy authorized internet retailer of authenticated signed sports memorabilia is now in the Philippines. They are Hall of Fame Authentics or HOFA.

Through this online-based provider, fans of different sports can get their much-coveted signed memorabilia from basketball, boxing, baseball, football, hockey, golf, and soccer athletes around the globe. A vast array of items that range from autographed and even game-worn uniforms, caps, jackets, shoes, posters, balls, among others are just a click away. Launched in 2018, HOFA has over 5,000 choices of 100% authenticated signed items from various athletes –supplied by world-renowned brands like Upper Deck, Panini, and Fanatics.

How do you get started in this special and unique hobby? HOFA owner and managing partner Ron Uy offers a 101:

Sports memorabilia collecting does not always have to be about GOATs like Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant or Floyd Mayweather. Seasoned collectors do go for the legends, all-stars and superstars, but one can start with promising rookies or role players as well and end up with a lucrative haul too. HOFA has items that fit varying budgets with goods coming from a wide range of athletes – from rookies to veterans, and even retired superstars. To start, here are some steps fans may want to consider and think about before diving all in.

1. Focus on the sport you love– Pick the sport that you feel a very strong connection to. Maybe your Dad taught you to love the game when you were little. Maybe you fell in love with it on your own. Twenty or thirty years later, you still have that same love and passion for the sport. Buy memorabilia items based on that sport.

2. Celebrate your favorite team–Families often have favorite teams. Wave your family banner high by going for a team item. Or maybe there’s a team you admire through and through and appreciate everything about it. Look for jerseys, t-shirts, signed posters or shoes that will show your loyalty to your favorite team.

3. Honor your favorite player– There will always be sports fans who are going to be loyal to certain athletes through the highs and lows of their careers. Take LeBron James. He has played for three different NBA teams but his fans from around the world support him wherever he goes to play. Owning a thing or two signed by your idol, whoever he or she is, will be a treasure for all time.

4. Search for the particular item that you like on the site –Not all jerseys, caps, t-shirts or posters are the same. Pick out the one that suits your taste or really speaks to you. Pay attention to the color, consider the design. Most important, look at the price. Do the necessary pros and cons exercise. Then make your decision.

5. Follow the steps.Now that you’ve made your decision onhofa.ph, pick the memorabilia you want to own and add to cart. Provide your details and check out. You will get a confirmation email that will provide further instructions. You may also opt to direct message HOFA on Facebook and Instagram to ask if the product you want is available even before you purchase it. All HOFA items are inclusive of 12% VAT and are available through different options such as credit card, PayPal, installment, and even layaway plans. Product arrives between 2 to 4 weeks.

6. Enjoy!– Finally the long-awaited signed ball, or boxing glove, or baseball cap has arrived. It comes in a secure glass case that you can put on display and admire every day. Recall that golden moment when your favorite team or athlete made history. Michael Jordan’s signed basketball? Wayne Gretsky’s hockey helmet? Tom Brady’s football shirt? Tiger Woods’ golf shoes? It’s yours now.

The best part about starting your memorabilia collection through an online store like hofa.ph is that you can make your sports dreams come true without even leaving home.

Source: kikodora.com

Own authenticated sports memorabilia like this signed Trae Young poster on http://hofa.ph/

MANILA, Philippines — The NBA playoffs are in full throttle, and what better way to celebrate than immortalizing your love for basketball with memorabilia of your favorite hoopers?

Helping Filipino fans gain access to authentic and signed memorabilia from NBA athletes and more are Hall of Fame Authentics (HOFA) — the sole retailer of authenticated sports memorabilia in the country.

Without leaving the comfort of your own home, you can commemorate Trae Young’s Game One silencer over the New York Knicks with a signed photo of the Atlanta Hawks star.

Or celebrate the Los Angeles Lakers’ series-tying Game Two win with framed autographs from LeBron James or Anthony Davis.

Regardless of who you’re rooting for in the NBA — heck, even if they’re already eliminated from the race — you’ll likely find the perfect piece of memorabilia to beef up your collection.

HOFA offers over 5,000 authentically signed items in various sports on its website, hofa.ph.

A business started by collectors Ron Uy, Stephen Songco and Elvis Gutierrez, HOFA makes owning a piece of sports history easier than ever.

Source: philstar.com

Many Pinoys have discovered hidden talents and unlocked never before seen opportunities in the “spare time” spent in quarantine. Chefs, bakers, physical fitness instructors, fashion designers and the famous “plantitas and plantitos” were born during this period.

Others prefer to stay secure by investing in conventional stuff:  bonds, stocks, cash, jewelry, real estate. Some, however, are having fun investing in something less traditional: items that are worth far more than their original sale price and are considered alternative investments. Welcome to the world of authentic sports memorabilia.

Well, authentic sports collectibles do cost a lot. So some people consider spending thousands on collectors’ items as a self-indulgent hobby. But look beyond the price tag and avowed collectors will tell you memorabilia collecting is a wise and sound investment. Very rewarding too.

Memorabilia items are treasured for the emotional rewards they provide: both a physical and spiritual connection to golden sports moments or the greatness of an individual. They make you own a piece of history. They are sacred relics of a bygone era. The buzz they give because you get to own something that belonged to or has been touched by a sports god is priceless. For sports fans, there is no feeling like it.

But memorabilia collectors are not just emotional fans. They are astute investors. They know that the ROI on collectors’ items is tremendous. That’s why avowed memorabilia hunters seek out auctions, reliable online shops, friends of friends and certified memorabilia stores.

In the Philippines, there is only one certified sports memorabilia distributor. That’s Hall of Fame Authentics or HOFA. Put up in 2018 out of the passion of lifelong basketball fans Stephen Songco, Ron Uy and Elvis Guttierez, the online-based store gives Filipino collectors easy access to sports memorabilia they have always longed to own, whether it be in basketball, baseball, football, soccer, golf, hockey and boxing. The signed goodies and relics vary from jerseys, basketball, sneakers, boxing gloves, posters and more.

Ron and Stephen say it is indeed wise and advisable to invest in collecting memorabilia. They themselves are avowed collectors AND investors. Ron invested in a pair of Kobe Bryant shoes for $5,000 before The Mamba retired in 2016. It’s now worth a whopping $20,000. Stephen sold his car a few years back to own a signed, game-worn Michael Jordan sneaker for P400,000. Today those Air Jordan 11s’ value has gone up to over P2 million.

HOFA offers authenticated goods from major companies like Upper Deck, Panini, Steiner Sports, Fanatics, PSA/DNA, JSA and Beckett. Orders may be placed on the website (www.hofa.ph) and products can be received in as little as two weeks. Payment options include credit card, PayPal, and installment plans to accommodate different budgets.

Here are but a few samples of HOFA stuff you can find or might want to own as both a priceless treasure and a sound investment:

1. A Kobe Bryant Upper Deck Authenticated Pro-cut jersey 81 point game commemorative

2. Floyd Mayweather’s signed Everlast boxing glove

3. Damian Lillard’s autographed Replica Spalding Basketball with “Rip City” Inscription

4. Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors autographed Gold Nike 2019-20 The Bay Swingman Jersey

5. Tiger Woods’s signed white Nike TW13 Shoes

6. Tom Brady’s New England Patriots autographed Riddell Pro Line authentic helmet

7. Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers Autographed Nike Limited Black Jersey

8. Jack Nicklaus-Arnold Palmer autographed 16 x 20 1965 Masters Presentation photograph

9. A LeBron James signed Spalding Basketball and many more.

There are over 5,700 memorabilia items in Baseball, Boxing, Basketball, Football, Golf, Hockey and Soccer you can obsess about at the HOFA store if you’re thinking about collecting.

You can start small and grow your collection little by little. Then thank it when it saves you when that rainy day appears.

Source: BusinessMirror