Tree of Many Branches
Hsin Lu International
Grand Masters' Council
Tree of Many Branches
Punong Guro Bill Garness graduated from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after 618 hours of police training. He worked for LVMPD from 1988 to 1996 during which time he worked for the drug interdiction team. PG Bill spent a brief time in the gang unit but was involved in patrol most of the remainder of this time. During his eight years in law enforcement he continued his martial arts training.
In 1993, he became a defensive tactics instructor. For three years he trained police officers in hand-to-hand combat which consisted of hand strikes, kicks, control holds, PR24 (Tonfa), handcuffing and lateral vascular neck restraints (LVNR). In 1994, PG Bill achieved the status of Police Firearms Instructor and taught firearms to hundreds of police officers and a number of police academies.
PG Bill has been training martial arts for over 24 years. He started his training with Master Terry Houston in 1984 in the Art of Ko Ta Kan which he trained in for several years. In 1993, he trained under Al Farnsworth, an 8th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. In 1994, PG Bill trained in Aikido for a short while, and in 1996 he trained with Jon Gentile which was his introduction into the Art of Jeet Kune Do and the Philippine Martial Arts.
In 1999, PG Bill began his journey in the Art of Chinese Boxing, Wing Chun, Kali/Eskrima and JKD concepts. PG Bill became a certified instructor in 2003, and opened a school called Chinese Kickboxing International, U.S.A. He took first place at the 2004 World Filipino Martial Arts Tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In 2005, PG Bill became a certified instructor in Jeet Kune Do by Professor Hargrave from the World Jeet Kune Do Federation. He has trained with great legends such as: Bas Rutten, Benny "The Jet" Uriquidez, Gokor Chivichyan, Pat Militech, Richard Bustillo, Senior Master Roland Dantes, Master Christopher "Topher" Ricketts, Grand Master Dionisio "Diony" Canete, Grand Master Carlito Lanada, Tuhon Gaudiosa Ruby "The Queen of Filipino Martial Arts", Master Ariel Moses, Punong Guro Myrlino Hufana and Grand Master Estalilla just to name a few.
PG Bill has conducted several joint seminars and has put on several successful tournaments involving full contact fighting with punches, kicks, grappling and the Eskrima. He and his senior instructors separated themselves from CKI in 2006 and began a new system called "Filipino Mixed Martial Arts, Laban Sa Lahat." This system is free of egos and politics, and is focused on training MMA style of fighting with a Filipino concept. PG Bill continues his advancement through attending seminars and training with Professional Fighters, Masters and Grand Masters in various Martial Arts.
On December 8, 2006 PG Bill was promoted to Black Belt 10th degree under the United Stated Kali Association and Tuhon Gaudiosa Ruby. He was awarded the title of Punong Guro of Filipino Mixed Martial Arts System. After his promotion Guro Erick gave PG Bill his Filipino name: "Tigas". On August 4th, 2007 PG Bill was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame and on July 26th, 2008 was inducted into the Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
In 2008, PG Bill Garness was appointed to the Grand Master’s Council of Hsin Lu International by Soke Moralez in recognition of his dedication and service to the worldwide martial arts community.
