Typhoon Ramil (Lupit) may have weakened on Thursday, but President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo just the same called on Filipinos to pray that the calamity-stricken Philippines be spared from further devastation.

“Bagamat maganda ang umaga ngayon, hayaan niyong manawagan na muna ako sa inyo para sa lahat na tayo ay magdasal para sa ating taongbayan sa buong Luzon. Unang una yuong mga nawalaan ng mga minamahal na tahanan at pag-aari, at para rin sa mga nawawalaan ng pag-asa sa kinabukasan dahil sa mga kalamidad ng kalikasan,” President Arroyo said in her address before a tourism summit in Batangas City. (We may be enjoying good weather today, but allow me to ask you to pray for our countrymen in Luzon, especially those who have lost their homes and belongings, and those who were losing hope after these natural calamities.) In making her call for prayers, the President cited the latest weather report, which showed Ramil was weakening and slowing down. Ramil’s waning strength Based on its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ramil continued to pack maximum sustained winds of 160 kilometers per hour, with gusts of 195 kph.

Full Story: GMA News/Yahoo PH