About us

About

OUR Story.
OUR Mission.

About Pallens Martial Arts

Sifu Bobby Pallen is a Chief Instructor with the Pallen’s Martial Arts System that has been providing black belt excellence since 1968. He is based in the Tri-Valley Area where he owns and operates two Pallen’s Martial Arts schools in Dublin and one in Danville Ca. He stems from a long lineage of renowned martial artists from the Pallen Family. He is the nephew of Senior Grand Master Max M. Pallen Sr. and has studied under his first cousins Grand Master Max Pallen Jr and Grand Master Jordan Pallen.

Sifu Bobby has three sons and one daughter whom all achieved their black belts and help run the family business. With the passing of his wife to breast cancer, he is even more of an advocate to living a healthy balanced lifestyle Mind.. Body.. Spirit..

Sifu Bobby started his training early in the martial arts when he was seven years old and had his first opportunity to instruct in his twenties. Very early on, he strived in tournament competition and had achieved many accolades. He is currently a 4th degree black belt and has over 20 yrs. of combined training and instructing experience in the martial arts. His concentration of study has mainly been the Pallen’s Martial Arts System founded by SGM Max M. Pallen Sr which has a predominant base in Kajukenbo and the Philippine Martial Arts. The Pallen’s System has also integrated Tae Kwon Do , Jiu-jitsu and Krav Maga. Early on in his career, Sifu Bobby ventured outside of the martial arts to broaden his business knowledge in the corporate world where he excelled as a regional manager, trainer, and independent owner of his own successful businesses. Although he embraced being an entrepreneur, he never lost his passion as a martial artists and would then return to own and operate his own successful schools with his children to continue the Pallen family legacy. His lifelong goal is to make an impact in the communities by developing his students to have a champion spirit in the martial arts and in life!

“Success is not measured only by how high I climb, but by how many people I bring with me.” – Sifu Bobby Pallen

Why we are diffrent

WE STRIVE TOGETHER,
AND THRIVE TOGETHER

OUR MISSION IS TO HELP FAMILIES BUILD GOOD HUMANS.

We focus on developing fundamental character building traits needed in today’s society; respect, confidence, discipline, and focus. We prize honor, courage, discipline and integrity.

We value more from our students, and challenge them to reach for higher standards. “More” is exactly what they deliver—kinder, stronger, more responsible character traits emerge from students who are members of the Pallen’s tribe.

Pallen students have a reputation for overcoming challenges on the mat and at home, and for building thriving friendships built on integrity, trust, and respect.

WE HAVE FUN.

We strive to create a disciplined and structured environment where everyone has a chance to excel. We constantly enhance our unique method of teaching martial arts with exciting games and themed based classes without ever compromising the integrity and tradition of martial arts.

WE THRIVE TOGETHER.

We have been working with families since 1968 to develop the martial arts methods that focus on body and mind in all the best ways. Today, parents can work out in our adult classes and have this in common with their child. We encourage that families that work out together bond strong together! You are not just joining a bay area martial arts institution with a unique and successful methodology, you are joining with other families in a mission to build a thoughtful community. Our legacy is built on the principle that a community that strives together, thrives together.

SENKOTIROS ARNIS:
SENIOR GRANDMASTER MAX
PALLEN’S LEGACY OF MARTIAL ARTS

Grandmaster Max M. Pallen founded Pallen’s Martial Arts Association in 1968, in Oakland, California. His many accomplishments towards the advancement of the Philippine Martial Arts included being the Executive Producer of the 1974 Asian Martial Arts Exposition at the Kaiser Center in Oakland, California. He also founded the Affiliated Martial Arts Promoters Association (AMAPA) and the founder of the Northern California Eskrima-Kali-Arnis Federation which promotes Philippine stick fighting tournaments in Northern California.
He served as the Western Region Director of the World Eskrima-Kali-Arnis Federation (WEKAF) in 1997. He also served as the U.S. Director of the World Eskrima-Kali-Arnis Federation in 1998-2000.

Professor Max Pallen continues to develop Senkotiros, his system of Philippine martial arts; he has worked tirelessly to perpetuate the martial heritage of the Philippines; and he has established himself as a consummate instructor, competitor, coach, promoter, and official. He is also a proud instructor, coach, and trainer of several current National and World stick fighting champions.

Grandmaster Max Pallen was born and raised in the Province of Camarines Sur, located at the southern most part of Luzon in the Philippines. He was first exposed to the Philippine martial arts at the tender age of six by his grandfather Luis Moratillo. His father, Zacarias “Kid Baron” Pallen, also exposed him to the art of boxing “Panuntukan”. His experiences in street fighting go back to his younger years in the Philippines.
Grandmaster Max Pallen, Sr. was a young engineering student in the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines. In 1959, his father thought that it would help him develop a more prosperous future by sending him to the United States.

In the early 60’s he met a combat Jujitsu instructor who began instructing him in the combat style of self-defense. In addition, Grandmaster Max began, and continues to practice, his training in the style of Kenpo karate. Still looking for a stronger foundation and a cultural identity, he decided to return to his homeland to study and research more Philippine martial art styles. Grandmaster Max also had the opportunity to study here in the United States under several Masters in Kali, Arnis, and Eskrima. Today, his quest for Philippine martial art skills continues through his travels to Luzon, Visaya, and Mindanao in the Philippines.

Through his extraordinary level and skill and profound influence in the field of martial arts, Professor Max M. Pallen, Sr., has earned the esteemed titles of Grandmaster, Apo, and Professor by which he is widely recognized. Not only has he mastered a variety of systems in Philippine martial arts but also he has developed expertise in a diverse array of other combative methods that stress empty hand and weapon fighting.

For more information on the esteemed founder of Pallen’s Martial Arts, and the originator of the first Senkotiros-Arnis program in the United States, see the links below.

The Gym

our history

Our Other Location
San Leandro, Owned and Operated by Grandmaster Jordan Pallen and Felipa Pallen www.pallensmartialarts.com

Pallen’s Martial Arts began in Oakland, CA in 1968. As we celebrate over 50 years of martial arts excellence, we look back and see a karate school which started with traditional Kenpo, and has expanded to the full family fitness center and heritage after school program that it is today.

In the 70’s, we expanded to Kajukenbo which incorporates traditional karate, judo, kenpo and Chinese boxing (kung fu). Kajukenbo is a balanced martial art using both hand and foot techniques, mat work (including throws, rolls, and falls), traditional forms, as well as the art of self-defense through punching attack and grab art defenses.

In the 80’s, we added the Philippine Martial Art in our curriculum; which the Pallen’s are one of the first martial arts schools to practice in the United States. In the the 90’s, Tae Kwon Do was incorporated within our system, which enhanced our flexibility and usage of our legs.

We expand our style continuously, molding the martial arts in our own unique way. Pallen’s has provided championship fighters and martial arts excellence for decades, and we don’t intend to stop. As a community we continue to strive together and thrive together.

Join us

Begin your martials arts with us