Gan still holding on to hope of meeting ‘Umbrella Lady’

KOTA KINABALU: The Mr Gan who placed a classified ad in a local daily in search of an “umbrella lady” is not worried if she turns out to be someone’s wife.

He said he genuinely wanted to be friends with her as the first and last impression he had of her when they met, while queueing up to cast their ballot on May 9, was of a kind and wonderful person.

“I am not concerned about whether she is married or not; I just want to meet her again and be friends ... maybe we can even be family friends,” Gan said when contacted.

He said he had not received a call from the woman after the advertisement titled “Looking for a Lady I Met on 9th May 2018” appeared in the newspaper on Wednesday, which went viral on social media.

They had met at the polling station at SMK St Francis Convent here, and she offered to share her umbrella with him on that hot sunny morning.

They went off separately to cast their votes after a warm chat but did not exchange phone numbers.

“I am not losing hope yet,” said Gan. He also said he chose to withhold personal information about himself from the public because he did not want to be bothered unnecessarily by any callers, pranksters or even scammers.

“The woman will know if she’s the one I am talking about so that’s all that matters,” he said.

Gan also expressed surprise and gratitude to social media users and the public who shared his news and attempted to locate the woman.

“I am overwhelmed by the online help after the ad and news came out,” he said.

Gan said he had his good friends to thank for making him put up the ad.

“I have been talking about this woman for the past three months, and they kept encouraging me to do something about it, and go all out to find her.”

Well, Umbrella Lady, if you are reading this, Gan’s number is 012-835 8467.