In 2017, Jowash Saballero’s path in kendo began when he met Takeyasu Onose Sensei, a Roku-dan (6th Dan) from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Onose Sensei, a frequent visitor to the Philippines through OISCA’s cultural exchange program, introduced kendo training at the SHISEIKAN Dojo. Drawn to the discipline and philosophy of Japanese swordsmanship, Jowash became one of his earliest students and, in 2018, founded the OISCA Negros Kendo Club under his mentor's guidance.