City Editor Ivan here. I've been proud to call San Antonio home for the better half of my adult and professional life, but I will always hold my Mexican heritage close.

While I was born in Laredo, TX, most of my adolescence was spent traveling between the US and Mexico to visit family.

Much like how Mexican culture is extremely community-focused, I have always felt that San Antonio, being a Hispanic-majority city, has embraced its residents of all backgrounds. It's no surprise that the Alamo City was ranked the No. 4 most friendly city in the US.

On September 16, my family celebrates Mexico's Independence Day at community-wide festivities with mariachis, Mexican food, and El Grito, a tradition that recreates the moment in which Don Miguel Hidalgo gathered his followers in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. again just a suggestion, bc you "define" El Grito twice

This year, I look forward to celebrating el 16 de septiembre with hundreds of new friends at Pearl's Viva Dieciséis celebration.