Punong Ginang Felipa Contreras Aceron
Punong Ginang Felipa Contreras Aceron, daughter of one of the last members of the Principalia of Mindoro, carried forward the dignity, heritage, and responsibilities of the Contreras Maginoo line. Through her marriage to Punong Ginoong Mariano Orosa Aceron, she helped bridge two influential ancestral houses whose shared values shaped civic life in Southern Mindoro. As a matriarch, she preserved the traditions and upheld the cultural memory of the Maginoo, instilling in the community of Mait, the enduring commitment to service, the Catholic tradition and community leadership.
Punong Ginong Mariano Orosa Aceron, originally from Pola, Oriental Mindoro, he became part of the Maginoo of Mait through his marriage to Punong Ginang Felipa Contreras. A public statesman dedicated to uplifting his province, he played an active role in economic development initiatives and social-welfare programs across Oriental Mindoro. His commitment to community service, grounded in the values of both the Orosa and Contreras lineages, established a legacy of public service and philanthropy that his descendants continue to uphold today.
María Ylagan Orosa, a relative of Punong Ginang Felipa Contreras Aceron and Punong Ginong Mariano Orosa Aceron, was one of the Philippines’ most remarkable heroines of World War II. A pioneering food technologist and chemist, she developed innovative Filipino staples such as banana ketchup, Soyalac, and Darák, and championed food self-sufficiency for Filipino households. During the Japanese occupation, she risked, and ultimately gave, her life smuggling life-saving food supplies to civilians and prisoners, saving thousands from starvation. Her legacy as a scientist, patriot, and humanitarian stands as a testament to the enduring strength and service of the wider Contreras-Aceron lineage.