This A-Profiler we bring you singer Guia Rivera. Find out why Rivera thinks her friends and family would describe her as eccentric, what "bringing sexy back" means to her, and what her goals she has set for her latest single "Graffiti."

Your site URL:
www.myspace.com/guiarivera

How would friends and family best describe you?
Eccentric. For the Fourth of July, I was the only one walking around the Taste of Chicago with a red coin scarf wrapped around the belt of my Capri jeans. My parents would wonder as they shook their head, why can't this daughter of ours be a little more normal? But that day I preferred to express myself, according to my caprices, by wearing the exotic trappings of a belly dancer...

What does being a Filipino woman mean to you?
Imagine a mermaid swimming in Pacific waters, diving and searching to find the Pearl of the Orient. My Philippine culture is a priceless jewel.

Do you speak any languages?
I speak English really well, lol. But seriously, my Spanish has gotten pretty good... I know some French, a little Italian, and understand Tagalog and Capampangan

Which boy band group do you secretly love to listen to?
The Backstreet Boys... hey are they making a comeback?!

Does singing and music come naturally to you?
Do-Re-Mi baby baby...

Whose in your fave 5?
Fave 5, painters you mean? Tsel One (graffiti writer and painter) – Yo! You gotta collect his stuff, it might be worth a lot one day. Henri Matisse and Vincent Van Gogh ... Not to mention, all graffiti writers who have inspired me to write my song "Graffiti"... I just got this special charcoal/paster drawing as a gift from Miguel Dominguez aka SCEM in Mableton, Georgia who told me he was inspired by my music ...

Facebook or Myspace? What's the strangest message left on your page?
Sometimes guys will write me messages about my twins. I thank God I have them, but please, when you talk to me, look at my eyes, my eyes, I tell you.

What's your one guilty pleasure?
Sex & The City... why did they have to end one of the smartest, funniest shows on TV?

Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Mariah Carey is the ultimate diva, and I've been singing along to her songs since I was 8!

If you weren't a singer/performer what do you think you be doing?
Acting. I've exchanged emails with Eric Byler, a couple times. It would be a dream to work with someone of his originality and clever wit. I saw the movie Tre when Byler was presenting his work at an Asian American film festival. His characters really pushed my buttons as I internalized their questions as my own. If a film provokes you to analyze and re-analyze the characters' motives, then you know it's a quality movie.

What kind of music are you jamming to on your mp3 player?
In my playlist, I've got "Touch My Body" by Mariah Carey, "Love Like This" by Natasha Bedingfield, "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys, "Hypnotize" by Notorious B.I.G., and "Mo Money Mo Problems" by Notorious B.I.G.

What does "bringing sexy back" mean to you?
Just don't think about it. Sexy is not tryin'.

Toughest event in your life that you had to over come?
Surviving New York. It's true. If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. Much respect to my friends and fans in NYC son!!!

.Are you a White Sox or Cubs fan? Will the Cubs win the World Series this year?
Living on the north side of Chicago, I'd have to say Cubs... but sometimes, I wonder about Sox and Cubs fans, and if we could all just get along!

Who has better pizza New York or Chicago? Is pizza meant to be eaten with a knife and fork?
When I was starving in my little apartment in Queens, I would visit my friend who owned a boutique called Jacob's Eye by Fort Greene in Brooklyn. There was a pizza shop where the people were real nice, and they'd give me free pizza. So I'd have to say the best pizza in New York is made in Brooklyn... But, hands down man, Chicago deep dish pizza is tops!!! C'mon dude, who eats pizza with a knife and fork?

What's one way to a women's heart?
If a man shows he loves my dog Boba, then I know he's a good man. She's not only my best friend, but a good judge of character.

What was your parent's reaction when you told them you wanted to sing?
My parents don't really get this whole music thing. My dad was in the US Navy. So, I think he thinks I'm his navy recruit or something.

Where do you see your music career taking you in 10 years?
Before we talk about where I see myself in ten years, let's start with 2009. This year I want to reach #1 on the music charts with my song "Graffiti." It's been picking up a lot of positive attention lately. "Graffiti" is the voice of our generation, where we can say anything and everything we want, anywhere, on the wall on the train in the subway... especially if you've got a spraycan!!!

Do you think Asian Pacific American women are well represented in the music industry?
No, Dammit! That's why I'm here today -- to change all that. So let's get "Graffiti" playing throughout radio stations across the country ... All my fans, stand up! Call the radio station in your city and ask them to play "Graffiti" by Guia Rivera. If the dj or program director doesn't yet have "Graffiti" on their station, tell them to BUY "Graffiti" on iTunes. (A note from my manager "Breaker Ray": don't call the request line! CALL THE BUSINESS LINE for radio stations. Then ask the receptionist if you can leave a voice mail requesting "Graffiti" to your favorite dj/radio personality or the program director or music director.)

Thanks for taking time out to do this interview; do you have any words you like to leave your fans?
In order to top the Billboard Charts, I need each and every person you and I know to buy a copy of "Graffiti" (only costs $1 each), so that "Graffiti" can become the #1 downloaded song on iTunes. Thank you AArisings. To all my fans, I appreciate the support! Music is powerful.

Would you like to be featured on this site? Click here for more info.

This issue of A-Profiler is brought to you by Ray Lam.
Special thanks to Guia Rivera.

Photos used with permission.
Copyright retained by original copyright holder(s).