This isn’t just an update; it’s everything you need to master De Campo 123 Original. See a sample with the ‘Out of Range Maneuver,’ then discover the full curriculum — 14+ hours of new insights, advanced strategies, and still the complete system, refined over the years. Change your game!
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.
To witness these principles and techniques in action, Maestro Paolo Pagaling, a dedicated practitioner with extensive immersive study under the direct lineage of the Caballero family, offers a compelling demonstration in the video below. It’s your first step to seeing the power, feeling the flow, and understanding the strategy of this extraordinary art. For those ready to embark on a comprehensive journey, The De Campo 123 Master Class awaits.
Pictured above is an authentic piece of Filipino martial arts history: the original curriculum for De Campo 123 Original, as created by Grandmaster Jose Caballero in 1925. A formidable figure from the legendary ‘Juego Todo’ days, GM Caballero’s skill was undisputed, having bested many highly skilled eskrimadors in challenging duels. This manuscript reveals the disciplined framework behind his combat-honed system, offering a rare insight into the mind of its master architect.
The above video is an excerpt from a Hand Sparring video between Maestro Paolo and Richard. It’s an 11-minute technical sparring designed to show a student how techniques are carried out with uncooperative partner who also tries his best to counter or avoid strikes.
You’ve glimpsed the power and philosophy of De Campo. Now, discover the ultimate way to learn and master this profound Filipino martial art.
Seven years of relentless training, dedicated research, and meticulous refinement since our original online offering have culminated in The De Campo 1-2-3 Master Class – a comprehensive overhaul and a monumental leap forward in De Campo instruction. This isn’t just an update; it’s an entirely new, definitive program where Maestro Paolo Pagaling (backed by over three decades of accumulated martial arts knowledge) has poured every ounce of his expanded knowledge and insight, staying true to the core principles of our founder, GM Jose Caballero.
Experience the Transformation – What Makes the Master Class Unparalleled?
Massively Expanded Content:
Deeper Learning, Enhanced Curriculum: While encompassing the original curriculum, every aspect has been greatly expanded. Expect more detailed explanations, numerous practical demonstrations, and profound insights into the intricate workings of the De Campo system.
Structured for True Mastery: The Master Class is meticulously organized into two power-packed parts:
Nothing Held Back: Maestro Pagaling’s goal is to share every insight and piece of knowledge he possesses to help you make De Campo truly work for you, empowering you to achieve genuine mastery.
This is your opportunity to learn De Campo 1-2-3 Original in its most complete, refined, and accessible form yet.
“Years ago, even before the launch of our original online course, my friend and dedicated student, Leigh Harris, shared his initial deep dive into De Campo. Now, as we launch The De Campo 123 Master Class, his insights into the art’s core principles remain as relevant and compelling as ever. Leigh, originally from the UK, has been living in Puerto Galera with his Filipina wife, Ate Macrina, and has immersed himself in Filipino Martial Arts for over two decades. Here’s his perspective from that time, reflecting on what drew him to De Campo and what he discovered.”
— Maestro Paolo Pagaling
Leigh Harris:
“My journey into Filipino Martial Arts eventually led me to De Campo, and the initial spark, I suppose, came from the almost mythical stories of ‘Juego Todo’ – the death matches – and the legendary founder of De Campo, Jose Caballero. His history as a renowned practitioner in these intense duels, and how those experiences shaped the art, truly fascinated me. I knew I had to explore it.
What I’ve come to deeply appreciate about De Campo is its profound simplicity. Now, when I say ‘simplicity,’ I don’t mean it’s easy – far from it. It’s the focused nature of the art; it isn’t about collecting thousands of techniques. Instead, De Campo concentrates on a core set of principles, predominantly with the single stick, though its double stick component is equally practical and something I genuinely enjoy. This philosophy reminds me of Jeet Kune Do, another art I’ve studied: simple, direct, and centered on mastering a few potent techniques through dedicated repetition.
De Campo is, in many ways, a decidedly offensive art. The emphasis on relentless striking combinations, repeated until they become second nature, is something I find incredibly effective. One of its unique characteristics is the focus on ‘broken rhythm’ or ‘half-beats’ – the ability to strike between an opponent’s expected cadence, delivering two or three hits where they might anticipate one. This explosive speed, combined with a strategy of often targeting the nearest point – be it the hand or leg – makes it exceptionally potent.
Beyond the striking, the body shifting and footwork in De Campo are far more sophisticated than they might first appear. There’s a unique quality to how you can seamlessly move in and out of range, which has been a revelation. Personally, this dedication to repetition and refined mechanics has significantly improved my fluidity with both single and double stick.
What further solidified my commitment was discovering the logical structure of De Campo. The progression through ‘Elementary,’ ‘High School,’ and ‘College’ levels is brilliantly systematic. It begins with the Abecedario – the foundational angles of attack – and then builds through combinations from both open (Abierta) and closed (Sarada) positions, developing both sides of the body from the outset. The High School phase, with its combative and practical double stick work, was a real eye-opener for me; it’s not just for coordination but for genuine fighting application. By the time you reach ‘College,’ the combinations are intricate, demanding, and incredibly practical – like building a house, each stage relies on the solid foundation laid before it. You find your hand speed, your stick speed, has to elevate to fit multiple strikes into fewer beats.
For me, De Campo ticks all the boxes. In terms of self-defense, its simplicity and focus on direct, efficient stick work mean its principles can be readily applied with almost any improvised weapon. It also lends itself remarkably well to sport stick sparring, especially with modern safety gear. And let me tell you, it’s a hell of a good workout! The intensity, the repetition, the speed, and the dynamic footwork combine for a truly high-intensity session.
Beyond the physical, training in De Campo has given me a tangible connection to Filipino culture and history. Living in the Philippines, exploring this art with such a rich past has been incredibly rewarding. It’s more than just a martial art; it’s a piece of heritage.
Even back then, having access to an online course to supplement my training was invaluable, allowing me to review and refine what I learned at my own pace. De Campo is a journey, and for me, it’s been one of profound discovery and continuous improvement.”
“It’s always inspiring to see the dedication of our students. Brett, from the USA, began his De Campo journey with our online course and then took the incredible step of flying to the Philippines in December 2022 for a week of intensive, direct training. Here are his insightful reflections after that immersive experience.”
Brett’s Story:
“My first encounter with De Campo was through YouTube videos while researching different martial arts systems. That led me to the online course, and once I started reviewing the material, I was immediately drawn in. I found it incredibly interesting, in-depth, and, most importantly for me, very practical. I began learning right there at home in the United States.
The online course laid a strong foundation, but I knew that to truly grasp the art, I needed to come to the Philippines and learn directly from the source. What I’ve experienced here has only deepened my appreciation. Grandmaster Jose Caballero, the founder, was clearly an intelligent individual to put such a systematic and effective art together. Learning about his training methods and his ‘Juego Todo’ background, it’s clear this system was born from real, hard-fought experience – dispatching opponents effectively and efficiently.
While the online course offers a wealth of material, learning directly from a teacher here has been invaluable for understanding the application and nuances. De Campo, to me, is realistic. It takes time, and everyone learns at their own pace, but I genuinely feel it’s something I can use. It’s practical, not overbearing, just systematic training where, as they say, ‘drills make the skills.’
This leads to my thoughts on certification. Anyone just looking for a piece of paper should reconsider. De Campo is something you need to take the time to develop deeply. The certification will come, and when it does, it will be valid, truly earned, not just a formality. It’s about immersing yourself in the training, absorbing everything you can, and then the recognition will be all the more worthwhile.
The in-person training here has added another layer, introducing additional drills that build on the online course – training for power, speed, and accuracy, much like a boxer would with a coach. It’s about deploying the skills effectively, understanding the nuances, and making the art your own. The footwork, for instance, is simplistic on the surface, but you have to pay close attention. Coming from Brooklyn, New York, I’ve seen a few things, and I find this footwork to be the most realistic and practical I’ve encountered – quite unique.
When it comes to striking, I actually appreciate that there aren’t countless techniques. It’s that ‘less is more’ philosophy. The strikes are dynamic and powerful, and like a baseball player practicing their home run swing, the more you practice these De Campo strikes, the more your body becomes accustomed to generating the proper power. I’m still working on a few things, like the ‘bounce back’ of the stick and some specific footwork coordinations, but I have a solid understanding of what De Campo 1-2-3 Original is about and the well-thought-out system Grandmaster Caballero created.
Honestly, De Campo ‘fits me like a glove.’ It feels incredibly natural in its execution and its core philosophy. This is what I’ve been looking for in a martial art for a long time, and I’m thrilled to have found it and to be part of the De Campo 1-2-3 Original organization.
My advice? If you can’t make it to the Philippines immediately, absolutely start with the online course. It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen – like an encyclopedia you can constantly reference. Reach out to the instructors, film yourself, get feedback. But as soon as you are able, you must come here. Experience De Campo in its place of origin, understand the culture, the thought process, the nuances you just can’t get from videos alone. Having both the online resource and the opportunity for direct training is an unbeatable combination. The system, its development, the supportive organization, and the quality of instruction – I can’t speak more highly of it. It’s an amazing system and a true legacy to be carried on.”
Many esteemed practitioners of Filipino Martial Arts, particularly those dedicated to Lameco Eskrima, often find a powerful resonance and familiar echoes within the art of De Campo. This connection is no coincidence; it is a testament to the profound influence of Grandmaster Jose Caballero on one of his most renowned direct students, the late Punong Guro Edgar Sulite.
Punong Guro Sulite, the brilliant founder of Lameco Eskrima, spent dedicated time training under GM Caballero, absorbing the distinct principles, strategies, and dynamic movements that define De Campo. The emphasis on directness, combative efficiency, intricate footwork, and the sophisticated understanding of range and timing inherent in De Campo, undeniably helped shape elements of the Lameco system.
For students and admirers of Lameco Eskrima, exploring De Campo offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into some of the foundational concepts that may underpin their own training. It is a chance to connect with a significant part of Punong Guro Sulite’s developmental journey and to appreciate the shared lineage that enriches the Filipino Martial Arts landscape. This section honors that vital link, inviting Lameco practitioners and all martial artists to explore the enduring legacy and interplay between these two formidable systems.
