"New Look" versus "Old Look"

A group of "Hair for Hope" shavees posing before the event.

My previous blog on "Going Bald...Just to Blog" written in a somewhat flippant and light and humorous style to share my personal experience as "in praise of the bald".

Take a LOOK...isn't it KOOL! Read that word backwards. Cool ;)

One year later, I volunteered to expose my naked scalp boldly in public for a good cause for the "Hair for Hope".

The mission of the "Hair for Hope"to "Stand in solidarity with children impacted by cancer. Shave with us. Donate to the cause. SUPPORT HAIR FOR HOPE!" for "Children's Cancer Foundation" . More information about CCF here and the shavees' thoughts, messages and stories here .

On 29 August, 2010, Changi Simei Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC) was supporting the Children’s Cancer Foundation and the first time, the Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF) was working with a grassroots organisation in the "Hair for Hope" event.

This photo shows me on stage to expertly shaved my head by a volunteer students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

Quite a challenge for my ITE friend though. My hair was the shortest among the shavees within the shortest time job done. Fortunately, I had a pledge donation card completed to get a free haircut :)

Mr Jason Ong, a regular veteran "Hair for Hope" supporter for several years to donate hair and cash (in the form of donation pledge). This year, Jason encouraged his young son and daughter to shave their heads for the first time.

Jason's both children were initially hesitant and shy, naturally. Which modern schooldays kids would do that today?

How many students in Singapore know that "Yang Zheng School" formerly located at Chinatown in the early days, it was compulsory for the students to be bald-headed as part of the school uniform?

Nonetheless, Jason had given his children the moral support for the "Hair for Hope"; brave to join other shavees to help the children who are suffering from cancer and illness. This is to inculcate a sense of compassion and kindness of the less fortunate in the community.

Jason and his children with their photo taken before the event.

Jason and his children with their photo taken after the event.

More photo gallery slideshow of the "Hair for Hope" @ Changi Simei here .

Shavees with certificates of appreciation with the Changi Simei CCC officials.

Here goes with the "New Look" versus "Old Look" blog below:

Well, one year after my "new look" tonsorial journey to experience my shaved head style. To cut a long story short, or rather a hair short, its been a year now and really my "old look" loves it! No regrets.

Some history about hairstyle:

The Manchu Dynasty upon conquering China in 1644 the following year demanded that Chinese men adopt the Manchu pigtail as an act of submission. Chinese boys and men until the Revolution were famous for wearing plaited pigtails. Chinese men shaved the front of their head, then combed the back hair into braids. They used not only their own natural hair, but also horsehair or black silk. The Chinese came to see their braided pigtails a sign of dignity and manhood. For the Chinese, to pull on another's pigtails was a great insult. Unmarried Chinese girls also often wore their hair in pigtails. It was a pervasive style in the 19th century. Most Chinese immigrants that came to America in the 19th century had these plaited pigtails.

Without Dr. Sun Yat-sen, everyone should imagine ourselves to be wearing pigtail this modern time.

Closer home, the former Foreign Minister Mr S Rajaratnam eloquently explained "Why we declared on long hairs - by Raja" as excerpted in The Straits Times, 16 January, 1972. That of course, was Singapore many yesterday history during the "hippies culture" and the influence of young Americans protesting againt the Vietnam wars. World history is the lessons to learn today though.

[...Turning to critics of the Government's action, he said: "The Government is not concerned with whether men have long hair, short hair or no hair at all. It is not so stupid as to believe that the future of Singapore will be determined by the length of the dead cells its citizens sprout.

Predictably, alarmist cries have been raised that the current campaign against the shaggy-doggy look is a prelude to the death of democracy: to the establishment of dictatorship by the short-haired.

He said: "Now let me say that not all who sport long hair are apostles of hippie cults".]

Next on to my favorite Western movie hero, Yul Brynner of "The King and I" fame.

Yul was famed as much his completely bald head as for his performances. I didn't know whether there were any photos of him with wigs or to remain publicly shown as part of his movies contracts.

Hair is a crown of glory. Not many young bald-headed fans of Yul Brynner to go hairless for what I had known.

Here's good looking Yul Brynner without hair. Anyone would like to photoshop Yul Brynner with any hairstyle you like?

It doesn't matter for fun around this image editing application software. Its virtual.

Enjoy!


Incidentally, I had omitted the 10th reason to go bald.

If ever I were young once more and a TV celebrity and need to look for talented David Gan . Please find out why!

Just kidding!

To all my friends, neighbors, and everyone who helped to sponsor me for my "Hair for Hope" pledge card, I thank you for your generosity for the Children’s Cancer Foundation. God Bless!