In the world of Filipino business and showbiz, few have a story as dramatic and inspiring as Cristina Decena – or better known as Krisa or Kristina De Sena. From a simple girl selling candy and bread on the hot streets of Tondo, Manila, to becoming one of the most powerful businesswoman in the country today. But the road to success is full of blood, tears, intrigue, and almost death. In 2026, as many search for her name on social media and YouTube, the question arises: What is her life really like now? Has the former queen of real estate and wellness gone quiet? Or is there still a new story behind her luxury lifestyle?

Cristina Decena was not born rich. She had no inherited money, no connections to elite families, no silver spoon. She grew up in one of the poorest areas in Manila – Tondo. At a young age, she knew the pain of hunger. While other children played in the alleys, she sold food on the streets to help support her family. “When my mother gave me food and I rode a jeepney, I wouldn’t eat recess,” she said in an old interview. “Or when I ate recess, I would get tired just to get to school.” At a young age, she learned the strategy: hard work, perseverance, and the courage to face the world without fear.
In elementary and high school, she endured hunger pangs to study. In college at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), while studying a business-related course, she still sold clothes, food, and other things to her classmates. She is not ashamed – for her, every peso is a step away from poverty. At the age of 20, he managed to earn his first million pesos! A huge achievement for a child who came from a poor background. He used that money to get into real estate – buying land, building a house, and selling it again. Repeatedly until the capital grew. Here he was called the “queen of houses.” “Once you worship real estate, you’re really lucky,” he used to say. And it’s true – it became the foundation of his wealth.
He founded the CBC Group of Companies, a conglomerate that encompasses real estate, construction, trading, and marketing. He was not just a simple businessman; he was a strategist who knew when to enter a deal and when to exit. He was personally involved in every project, from design to sales. But he didn’t stop there. He saw the boom in the beauty and wellness industry, so he founded the luxury clinic Bellezza Aesthetics (or Beledza before). Today, it is one of the top aesthetic brands that celebrities, socialites, and high-end clients visit. Here, she became the “queen of wellness” – offering premium treatments that beautify and strengthen the body. Due to her success and luxury lifestyle, she entered television. She hosted the show “Business Flight,” where she showed her life as a businesswoman: travels, investments, and high-end living. She is not an actress in the traditional sense, but she has become an inspiration as a brave and successful woman. She was even nominated for the PMPC Star Awards for TV in 2015. But along with the rise of her name came the arrival of controversies that almost ruined everything.
In the early 2000s, she met action star Philip Salvador at a property inquiry. From a simple business talk, they became lovers, business partners, and she openly supported his political ambitions. But this love story turned into a nightmare. According to reports, Cristina invested a huge amount – millions – in projects that allegedly did not come to fruition. Allegations of estafa emerged: the money was allegedly used for gambling in Macau and China. Kris Aquino even mentioned Philip’s vices at the time. The divorce ended up in court – estafa cases, media frenzy, headlines every night. For some, Cristina is a victim who was cheated. For others, she is a businesswoman fighting for justice. “I want there to be an end. I want there to be an end. All the users,” she said in an emotional statement.
After more than a decade of court battles, Philip Salvador was acquitted due to lack of evidence in 2017. But in the most dramatic twist, they met face to face, shook hands, and made amends. It felt like a scene from a movie – but it was true! After that, Cristina entered into a new relationship with comedian Ariel Villasanta. It was strange: they got married four times in four countries in one year! For some, romantic; for others, a publicity stunt. But in 2012, they also divorced – their respect and friendship remained.
The scariest chapter: in 2013, while riding in a car in Banawe, Quezon City, riding-in-tandem gunmen shot her! Shot after shot, glass shattered, she and her son almost died. “I almost hid myself on the floor of the car. I wiped all the spills. I was so scared for my son’s life,” she said. They miraculously survived. According to her, it was connected to real estate cases – land grabbing and estafa disputes. With so many business dealings, she was no longer surprised by the threat.
That ambush changed her forever. She became more careful, more religious, and chose to forgive rather than seek revenge. She gradually moved away from the spotlight – not because she lost her popularity, but because she chose to focus on her family, children, and business. Now, in 2026, she is quiet but still strong. She partners with her son (a licensed commercial pilot) in running Bellezza Aesthetics – this son runs the clinic as one of the key operators. CBC Group continues to grow, and Cristina is still studying naturopathic medicine to expand her knowledge of holistic health and wellness.