 A native of Barrio El Granillo, in Panama City (Between Chorrillo and Barraza (lanes 17 and 21 West)), debuted very young with Panama national football team, during a tour on El Salvador, was signed by the Alianza of that country.Known as the "Central-american Pele", Luis Ernesto ""Cascarita"" Tapia lived its golden age in El Salvador during the 1960s and 1970s, especially with the Alianza and still remembered by his fans, facing dozens of famous Brazilian players.On March 19, 1971, in the then Estadio Revolución, about 25,000 fans witnessed the match between Brazil's Santos and Atlético Marte of El Salvador.