De Campo 123

De Campo is a legendary Filipino martial art, a dynamic and effective system founded by the visionary Jose Caballero in 1925. It is more than just a collection of movements; De Campo is a profound philosophy of combat built upon three devastating pillars: Precision Striking, Agile Footwork, and Cunning Baiting.

At its core, De Campo utilizes the “1-2-3” principle. This isn’t merely a count, but a sophisticated strategic sequence:

1. Baiting/Luring: Enticing or drawing an opponent into committing to an attack.

2. Counter-attack: Exploiting the opening created by the opponent’s commitment.

3. Finishing Blow/Continuation: Delivering a decisive strike or a follow-up to neutralize the threat, which can also involve countering an opponent’s own counter.

The art incorporates distinctive and intricate footwork styles such as “paspas” (a stomping, driving movement) and “sagadsad” (a swift, sliding movement). These are seamlessly blended with De Campo’s seven foundational striking patterns, which form the building blocks for a vast array of applications. A unique element within its arsenal is “hayang-kulub,” a subtle yet potent wrist-work technique involving supination and pronation, which can deceptively multiply strikes and enhance defensive capabilities, turning a single motion into a disorienting flurry.

De Campo is an art of profound depth and nuance, traditionally passed down through direct transmission of knowledge and a structured curriculum—as evidenced by the original manuscripts of its founder, Jose Caballero, outlining progression from Elementary to High School and College levels. This dedication to systematic learning underscores the years of practice required to truly master its intricacies and applications.