When ETA Alexander Lopez-Perez was given a little over two months to prepare for an international martial arts competition, there was little the fledging English-teaching-cultural-ambassador could do but accept the invitation from the earnest audience. Luckily for Alexander, a honed and well-traveled master of SILEK (Silat) offered a space on his team for the ETA to fill.

From November 27-29, Alexander performed in a three-day Silek Tradisional Minangkabau Festival competition hosted by the city of Bukkittinggi. Alongside his sparring partners, who have been studying the philosophy and discipline behind the groups sect of Silek, the members of Harimau Agam competed with the rich plethora of Silek schools within and among Sumatra, Java, Malaysia, and Borneo.

In addition, Masters from Silek schools around the world convened at this event, with Alexander filling the vacancy for the United States (although, Alexander is nowhere near a master practitioner). Nonetheless, the ETA was both honored and blessed to have received instruction from these masters while touring with them in the city. Constantly amazed by his own team, and under the tutelage of Master Ade, Alexander hopes this is but the first competition he will compete in.

Silek is a popular martial art form in East-Pacific Asia that continues to inspire deep philosophy behind patience and appreciation in modern-day Indonesia. Considered the deadliest martial arts form, practitioners of the study invoke deep religious appreciation during and before each performance.

Alexander Lopez-Perez is currently teaching at MAN 2 Bukittinggi, West Sumatra