About Us

Bobby Pallen

– Master Instructor/Owner

Master Bobby Pallen is a 5th Degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo and the Head Instructor at Pallen’s Martial Arts in Dublin Ca. He’s also trained in Tae Kwon Do, Filipino Martial Arts and Jiu Jitsu. His family has provided black belt excellence since 1968. He lives in the Tri-Valley Area where he owns and operates two gyms in Dublin. 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. Master Bobby started his training in the martial arts at a young age and had his first opportunity to start instructing in his 20’s. He strived in tournament competition and had won several grand championships and has coached several of his students to do the same. Master Bobby has three sons and one daughter and recently blessed with a new baby boy. His older kids all achieved their black belts and the two oldest earned their instructor titles and they help him operate their two gyms. In 2021 Bobby started serving the community with his Breed All Abilities Classes which is a martial arts program for kids with disabilities that’s been thriving.

With more than 25 yrs. of combined training and instructing experience in the martial arts, Master Bobby advocates growing and living a healthy lifestyle and improving the lives of others. His lifelong goal is to continue making an impact in the community by sharing his knowledge and by developing their student’s mind/body/spirit through their martial arts program. Along with his family, “We are committed to Building Life Champions and to continue our Family Legacy.”

Christian Pallen

– Head Instructor/ Boxing Fitness Instructor

Christian Pallen is a highly skilled martial artist with almost 15 years of training in various disciplines. Holds his 3rd Degree in Kajukenbo received his Lakan title in Senkotiros Arnis( Filipino Martial Arts) and holds a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu. His dedication and passion for the martial arts has led to numerous achievements and recognition. He was a member on a sponsored fight team and competed in several local tournaments, showcasing his exceptional technique, discipline, and determination. Christian is the leader of our competition team. He is currently studying for his NASM Certification to enhance his expertise in the martial arts and fitness space. Now, with an unwavering focus and relentless work ethic, Christian continues to evolve as a martial artist and instructor. His aspiration to reach new heights in martial arts and fitness serves as an inspiration to his family, friends and our valued students.

Matthew Pallen

– Instructor

Matthew Pallen is a highly skilled martial artist with almost 15 years of training in various disciplines. Holds his 3rd Degree in Kajukenbo and earned his blue belt in Jiu Jitsu. His dedication and passion for the martial arts has led to numerous achievements and recognition. He was also a member on a sponsored fight team with his brother Christian Pallen and competed in several tournaments across the state showcasing his exceptional technique, discipline, and determination. He’s also the leader of our competition fight team. Matthew is dedicated to evolving as a martial artist and instructor and inspires those around him including his family, friends and our valued students.

Cedric Novenario

– Instructor

Cedric has been a student of Pallen’s Martial Arts since 1992. Through his years of growth and discipline, has earned a third degree black belt under the direction of Master Bobby Pallen, as well as a fourth degree black belt in Senkotiros Arnis (Filipino Martial Arts) with guidance under Grandmaster Jordan Pallen. He is a five-time national champion in Filipino Martial Arts. At the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation World Championships in 2012, 2014, and 2018, he has represented the school and Team USA and has medaled in multiple divisions. He is the current Senkotiros Instructor at Pallen’s Martial Arts Dublin and Danville. His continued growth and dedication for excellence, in and out of the dojo has culminated to a point of serving individuals interested in the art and adapting it to every child’s individual needs. Cedric has a son who’s a third degree black belt, as well as a daughter who is Autistic, who inspired the creation of the Breed All Abilities Class. Both children have incorporated some form of martial arts at varying degrees whether it’s for exercise, balance, coordination, and even incorporating martial arts into competitive sports. Cedric believes the combination of increased self-confidence, awareness of movement, and joy in participation in martial arts will help contribute towards an individual’s resiliency and full potential necessary for life skills.

Jasmine Tong

– Instructor

Jasmine Tong is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo. She has been a dedicated student for over 13 years and 3 of those years as an assistant/instructor and just received her official Instructor title. She is currently the leader of our competition forms team and demo team. Jasmine is dedicated to teaching and continuing our commitment to black belt excellence.

Mickey Lopez

– Boxing Fitness Instructor

Embracing fitness should be a joyful and fulfilling experience. Say goodbye to mundane routines that fizzle out quickly. Regardless of your current fitness level or age, I am dedicated to guiding you toward your peak performance and helping you maintain it for years to come. I’m a black belt in Kajukenbo, boxing coach, husband, father of two beautiful girls Tiffany and Journey and I love old school hip hop. It’s my mission to motivate people to get fit and see results fast using safe, effective, boxing and kickboxing workouts.

READY TO START YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY?

Mickey Lopez
@coachmlopez22

Lexy Pallen

– Personal Trainer/Pilates Instructor

Martial arts has been an integral part of my life from the very beginning. Growing up in a martial arts school and training under the guidance of my father instilled in me the core values of discipline, dedication, and a deep respect for movement. These early experiences laid the foundation for my lifelong passion for health and fitness.

Today, I bring that same commitment to my work as a fitness professional. I specialize in designing personalized, results-driven programs that emphasize strength, mobility, and overall wellness. My goal is to help individuals build confidence, improve performance, and feel empowered—both in and out of the gym.

Ray Jensen

– Kickboxing Instructor

Brings over a decade of experience in martial arts to Pallen’s. Before coming to California from Pennsylvania, Jensen studied Isshin-Ryū and competed in kickboxing for Black Gryphon Martial Arts under the tutelage of Jose Antonio Burgos III and Anastazia Johnson.

Jensen also provides experience in Muay Thai. While he lived in Florida, Jensen trained under Master Mehrdad Kahn Moayedi at his gym based in Clearwater.

Jensen was first introduced to kickboxing by Don “Boomer” Gladfelter, who also taught him Shotokan. Prior to starting his kickboxing training, Jensen earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do under James Olewiler in Red Lion, PA. While also serving as kickboxing coach, Jensen also currently trains in Kajukenbo at Pallen’s Martial Arts.

John Calvo

– Personal Trainer

With over 40 years of experience in fitness and martial arts, I bring a lifelong passion for movement and strength training. I began training in martial arts and also trained in boxing. My specialized background is as a personal trainer in which I have decades of weight training, competitive bodybuilding—with multiple competitive 1st place and overall wins.

With years as NASM-certified trainer, I’ve worked with clients ages 14 to 75, helping them achieve goals from weight loss to muscle gain. I offer 1-on-1 and small group training, plus customized diet and supplement plans. My mission is to help people in our community get stronger, healthier, and more confident—at any stage of life.

JT Donaldson

– Jiu Jitsu Instructor

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.