Remedial law professor and highly regarded practicing lawyer Tranquil Gervacio Salvador III clings to the hope that the new generation of lawyers has the power to improve the country’s legal system.
This is why despite his three decade-long career as a lawyer-educator, Atty. Salvador never stopped teaching law and helping examinees prepare for their bar exams.
He told republicasia in an interview that his belief in his students continue to fan his passion to educate the young minds, because in them lies the hope in making the country a better place.
“If there’s one thing that [keeps] me going in my practice and in my teaching are the students because they’re the hope, you are the hope” Salvador said with a beaming smile on his face.
“Kaya nga ako may hope sa legal system and positive ang outlook ko it’s because of the students, because I know they could improve it, they could make it better. You could make this country better,” he said as he faced the camera, as if talking to the new breed of lawyers.
Early education
At a young age of six, Salvador already envisioned himself defending clients in court.
And why not? At a young age, Atty. Salvador grew steadily under the influence of a family of lawyers.
So in a heartbeat, he knew he was destined to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandparents.
And hearing them discuss the notions about law made him more interested and eager to also take the same path.
However, Atty. Salvador confessed somewhere in his young age, he thought that he would just have to make it through primary and secondary school since his focus is in college – making it through law.
“Somehow, akala ko, di naman importante yung high school eh, di naman importante yung college eh, basta maging lawyer ako,” he said, as he mused about his time when he was young and somewhat carefree.
“Para sa’kin everything is just in preparation for law school.”
But despite his former self adapting to a happy-go-lucky personality, Atty. Salvador managed to transcend the misfortunes he faced while studying (including getting a 77 in his high school chemistry), completing grade school as class valedictorian, and capping off high school as part of the honor roll in the first two years and graduating with silver medal in Physics for scientific research.
He remained carefree even while taking his undergraduate degree at the University of Santo Tomas. But his academic life took an unexpected turn after he ventured into university politics.
Salvador told republicasia he did not intend to become student council president, although he submitted his certificate of candidacy for vice president because a student political party where he belongs convinced him to run to help them generate the needed votes.
Because Atty. Salvador not only has the brains, but the looks as well.
“Alam mo naman sa college sabi nila pag may itsu-itsura ka ng konti panghatak ka ng boto that’s the reason they said they recruited me,” he recalled.
But upon submitting his application, their party president got disqualified, forcing him to decide if he would be taking his place.
Long story short, Salvador unexpectedly had to carry the huge responsibility of leading the student body, which allowed him the opportunity to muse on how crucial it is to maintain a favorable reputation as one’s misconduct might be used to discredit them.
His time as council chief also made him realize that his potential was not limited to becoming a legal practitioner.
“Di lang [pala ako] pang lawyer, marami pa pala ako pwedeng gawin,” said Salvador.
It was there that Atty. Salvador picked up his six-year-old self, and saw himself with an encouragement to lead just like his parents and grandparents.
The passion to educate
When he entered law school, he said this was when he took his school life more seriously. He sacrificed his social life in order to reach his dream.
Instead of spending his time meeting with friends and partying at night, he would spend his time studying at school, listening to countless lectures to master his craft.
“You really have to pour hours [into] everything you do,” he said.
And the long hours did pay off, with his younger self, patting his older self in the back as if saying “job well done, future me.”
Atty. Salvador’s commitment, determination and perseverance made him finish law school with a Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo De Manila University School of Law, and a Master of Laws from Suffolk University Law School.
Although he mentioned that it was never really part of his plan, the lawyer-educator started his teaching career in San Sebastian College Law School because he thought it would be an impressive addition to his credentials. He was later invited by Father Bernas to teach in his alma mater, Ateneo de Manila School of Law. It was Supreme Court retired Justice Venecio Escolin who tapped Prof. Salvador to replace him as Remedial Law Reviewer in Ateneo only after a semester of teaching there.
It is as if everything was predestined for him to teach and lead the new generation of lawyers, as he said that he immediately fell in love with teaching, making substantial contributions to legal education.
With a rich teaching portfolio, he has also served as a professor at esteemed institutions including University of the Philippines College of Law, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Law, Far Eastern University Institute of Law, Centro Escolar College of Law, and University of the East College of Law. He has held the position of former dean at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay and currently serves as the Dean of Adventist Law School, showcasing his dedication to nurturing the legal minds of the future.
Salvador published a law book called Criminal Procedure in 2019. He is set to release another book titled Footnotes, which is a compilation of his legal column in the Manila Standard of the same title, sometime this year.
The tranquilism method
Aside from the excellence he exhibits as a lawyer in court, Salvador is also known for his use of the “tranquilism method,” a term coined by his students, which pertains to his impressive ability to transform the complexity of the law subjects he teaches into something that is easier to absorb and remember.
He believes that the reason students think he is an effective educator is because he always tries to simplify and make complicated things comprehensible for them.
“I think I am effective not because I am good but because I am comprehensible,” Salvador III told republicasia.
He added that his mastery in the field also allowed him to bestow knowledge on his students even without the assistance of law books.
The lawyer-educator also teaches his students not just the book-based concepts of law, but he also gives them a glimpse of what happens on the ground, thanks to his experience as a practicing lawyer.
“Ipaliliwanag ko sa’yo not only based on law or jurisprudence, but also on what happens on the ground. That’s my advantage. Because I actually practice what I teach,” he said.
More importantly, Salvador works under the principle that if his class is not able to learn a thing or two from his lectures, then he has failed as an educator.
“Teaching is my platform, this is my stage, I am here to teach. Whatever I could share, I’ll give it to you, whatever I know, I’ll share it with you, kahit anong eskwela ka,” he said.
Testaments from his students
His influence extends beyond the walls of the courtroom. As a professor, he becomes a source of knowledge and inspiration, a figure whose presence pushes students and bar examinees to strive for excellence. His lectures are not just informative; they are transformative experiences. Students eagerly vie to be in his classes.
When asked about the most notable experience he had as an instructor and bar reviewer, Salvador said it would be the feedback he received from his students in law school and review centers.
According to his former students, whenever they take the bar exam, they suddenly hear Salvador’s lecture at the back of their heads, which allows them to recall the lessons they took in his remedial law class.
Courtesy: Tranquil Salvador III on Facebook
Many students, who have now passed the bar, have expressed their gratitude to him for inspiring them and making difficult legal concepts understandable for them.
Courtesy: Tranquil Salvador III on Facebook
Receiving these messages made him happy, he said.
“It’s really a vocation; it’s really being able to help a new generation of Filipinos.”
His message to the youth
After going through what he called misadventures in his life, the best advice Salvador could extend to the new generation is to persevere in order to achieve what they want in life.
He believes that when people work hard for something, they will be able to reach their dreams despite the obstacles that might slow them down.
“Ang natutunan ko lang kasi dyan, kapag gusto mo, paghirapan mo. Give your commitment, give your focus, and you’ll be able to get the result no matter how hard it is,” Salvador said.
“Kasi pag hindi mo pinaghirapan, pinagsikapan yung profession mo, hollow yon eh. You will have to put in hours and hours to master your craft.”
Driven by Justice, Going beyond law.
There is a saying that to be good at what you do, you have to learn from the best.
So in a world of legal professionals, one must be taught by a rare gem who effortlessly weaves together the roles of being an educator and lawyer, and personifies the very essence of transformation and inspiration, he has a profound impact on the lives of countless others.
As a lawyer, Atty. Salvador transcends the old adage of going beyond what is expected of you.
Beyond the courtrooms, he redefines the meaning of advocacy by extending his compassion and empathy to his clients.
His devotion goes beyond just winning cases; it goes beyond building real connections with those he serves. His dedication is not just his clients’ cases, but their overall well-being. His ability to understand and empathize with their struggles and fight for their rights with real fire and dedication makes him a true pillar of strength for those who seek his counsel.
His accomplishments are not just stories but real experiences of a legal professional. His being listed among the top 100 lawyers in the Philippines for consecutive years by the Asia Business Law Journal is a testament of his legal expertise and impact to the legal community.
The Supreme Court’s appointment of him as a bar examiner in Remedial Law during the 2018 bar examination is a recognition of his knowledge, experience and dedication to shaping the legal minds of the future.
He is a Partner and Co-Head of the Litigation and Arbitration Department of Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc and De Los Angeles Law Office. His leadership within this distinguished firm adds yet another layer of significance to his journey.
Empowering minds, transforming lives: Where law and learning illuminate possibilities
For Atty. Salvador, law is not just a profession but a calling to uplift and empower young and impressionable minds.
It is his mission to educate and inspire others through the law, leading them to personal transformations and the realization of their varied potentials.
