Aurea Fleras Centeno

Aurea Fleras Centeno, fondly known as “Baby” or “Auring”, was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend. She left this world on May 24, 2022 at the age of 86, after being hospitalized due to pneumonia. She is survived by her six children along with their families: Maria Belinda Agustin (Spouse: Sixto, Children: Francis, Kayla and Daniel); Maria Carolina Aragon (S: Joseph C: Joshua); Maria Dulce Centeno; Maria Evelyn Centeno (C: Sergio); Zita Bilog (S: Manuel C: Audrey); and Joon Centeno-Shipley (S: Alan).

Aurea was born on March 12, 1936, to Jose Fleras and Cristeta Fonte Fleras. She grew up in Manila, Philippines with her three siblings who preceded her death: Leticia Fanco, Teodorico Fleras, and Matilde Bongat. She attended elementary school at Santa Lucia, high school at La Concordia College, and graduated from Manuel L. Quezon University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She began working at US Tobacco while studying. In her later life, she would fondly remember proud moments of her youth, like dancing at the Manila Hotel and being crowned as Miss Education of her university. Her beauty was equally matched by her intelligence. She spent 13 years as a Mathematics teacher at Arellano High School in Manila, then worked as a Building Administrator for 15 years in Makati for the Ayala Property Management Corporation. Aurea married her husband, Romeo Centeno, in 1959 and began growing their large family. After Romy’s death in 1989, Aurea left the Philippines and migrated to Wellington, New Zealand. She later settled down in Southern California, USA, with the rest of her children, where she helped care for and raise her grandchildren.

Aurea was a very loving, kind, caring and generous person. She was always helpful, charitable, and willing to lend financial aid to those in need whenever she could. She loved celebrating birthdays and holidays with her family, and always cooked her favorite Filipino dishes. She always enjoyed reading and writing about historical and current events, singing and dancing, watching classic Hollywood movies, and playing (and winning) mahjong with her children and grandchildren. Throughout her life, Aurea was blessed to travel across the US, and visited various countries in Europe, Asia, as well as Australia. She also held tightly to her deep faith in God, with daily prayers and attendance of weekly masses, serving as an example of piety to her family and friends. Aurea was surrounded by her family as she joined our Creator. She was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by those who love her.

Please send your cards and condolences to Maria Belinda Agustin, at 7 Tessera Ave, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610. The Centeno family and relatives would like to thank you once again for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.