The Latin influence in the US is huge and is on the rise. One need not go far to see its mark on American society. Never in a million years did I realize I would be speaking Spanish as much in the US.

Over the years, I have seen the Latin culture permeate into mainstream American society. It is rare not to see Mexican restaurants these days. They are literally everywhere. There's Chipotle, Rubio's, and Chevy's (one of my favorites) among the fast food chain restaurants. I have also grown to love pupusas from Central America.

Before, there only used to be Telemundo and Univision. Now there seems to be more Spanish language channels on TV direct from Mexico and Venezuela.

Being Filipino, I actually feel a stronger affinity to Spanish culture than to my Asian roots.

At work, I speak Spanish the whole day. I have to. My students are the children of Mexican and Central American immigrants newly arrived in the country. I speak to their parents in their native tongue all the time. I likewise have a lot of colleagues who are Hispanic and we all get along very well. I often feel the similarity between their culture and the Filipinos'. Very similar indeed.