[1] His maternal great-grandfather was the philanthropist Don Manuel Carrillo Tablas, who served many times as mayor of Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.

His paternal grandfather was the illustrious Professor Don Aurelio Ortega y Placeres, considered one of the most brilliant educators of public instruction the state of Veracuz, Mexico produced.

His father was the renowned poet and educator, Professor Don Aurelio Ortega Castañeda, who baptized the city of Orizaba with the title of "Nuestra Señora de los Puentes"("Our Lady of the bridges").

To his students he imparted his gift and knowledge of music and would explain in great detail the significance of the symphonies of Beethoven and Mozart.

His father, the distinguished poet and teacher Don Aurelio Ortega Castañeda was an obvious influence on Maestro Armando.

On the 13 of August 2008 the Maestro was honored for his contributions to Mexican culture and the arts at the Teatro de la Llave in Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.

El Nacimiento de Venus (1958); Ruinas; Idilio de las Libélulas (1962), En el Establo, for soloists, narrator, 2 trumpets, percussion, organ, guitars, and string orchestra (1972); Ahauializápan, for reciter, tenor, mixed chorus, actress, piano, percussion, and string orchestra (1973).