Bethlehem, PA. – September 6, 2018 – On Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 10 a.m. PBS39 will premiere a brand new program called “Es Tiempo Lehigh Valley.” This talk show will highlight the diversity and cultural essence of the Latino community in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Genesis Ortega, of PBS39, and Victor Martinez, host of La Mega’s morning show, will host the new program. Guests will include Latino community activists, business owners, educators, entertainers, leaders and law enforcement officers from across the Greater Lehigh Valley.

“PBS39 is proud to provide this unique opportunity and fulfill this need in the Spanish-speaking community,” said Tim Fallon, Chief Executive Officer of PBS39. “Engaging our community with this new show is just one more important step toward accomplishing our strategic goal of providing compelling content to the Lehigh Valley.”

The inaugural episode will focus on Allentown, Bethlehem and Reading, three of the cities with the highest Hispanic populations in Pennsylvania. Councilwoman Cynthia Mota and Councilman Julio Guridy, of Allentown, along with Councilwoman Olga Negrón and Councilman Mike Colón, of Bethlehem, will discuss their roles and responsibilities in the community. Norman Bristol Colón, Director of Special Projects and Assistant to the Pennsylvania Secretary of State and Rosa Julio Parra of El Palo Magazine in Reading will also discuss the large Latino population growth in the state of Pennsylvania.

“At La Mega 106.9 FM Allentown, 99.5 FM Bethlehem and 92.9 FM Reading, we are proud and honored to take part in this opportunity to inform and educate our Latino community.” said Victor Martinez, host of “Es Tiempo Lehigh Valley” and La Mega’s morning show.

This is the first show in PBS39’s history to be done entirely in Spanish and this is the first Spanish language program presented by PBS39, since Mundo Hispano, in more than twenty years. “Es Tiempo Lehigh Valley” will air weekly on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Episodes will re-air on Sundays and Mondays and a version of the show with English subtitles will be available on PBS39.org. Check your local listings for exact times. For those who cannot watch the televised version, episodes will re-air Sunday mornings on La Mega radio stations.

Victor Martinez (VJ MAR) is an award-winning journalist and radio personality. He began his broadcast career in local Spanish radio in Orlando, Florida at the age of 13. Six years later, at the age of 19, Martinez became one of the youngest program directors in the United States and was later recognized by R&R magazine for his promising talent. While in radio, he expanded his broadcast career by becoming a reporter/anchor for WFMZ in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Later he worked for NY1 News in New York City where he covered the United Nations, the September 11 attacks, the city blackout and the 2003 World Series, among other important events and breaking news stories. After three years in New York City, he stepped away from the camera, to become the Programming Director for Clear Channel Radio, successfully launching VIVA 105.7FM in Atlanta, Mega 101 in Houston and Rumba 100.3 in Orlando. After a few years back in radio, Victor returned to television as a reporter at Fox 5/Georgia TV where he became an Emmy award-winning journalist. In 2007 Martinez returned to Florida as the Managing Editor and Anchor of News 13 En Español, where he won two of five Paoli Award nominations and the Coqui de Oro Award. Victor then returned to radio as the Program Director at Caliente 105.3FM in Jacksonville, Florida and then Program Director at El Zol 107.9 in Washington, D.C. where he was nominated for the “Medalla Cortez” Award for Program Director of the year and was honored as the Person of the Year after raising more than $300K for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Genesis Ortega serves as Membership and Community Engagement Ambassador for PBS39. She attended Allentown Central Catholic High School and studied International Management and French at Moravian College, graduating in 2013. Ortega speaks fluent Spanish and French and had the opportunity to study abroad in both Spain and France. She began her career working for United Healthcare’s Medicare and Retirement division as a bilingual Service Account Manager. She developed skills and knowledge helpful to her next role in U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent’s office. During her time working for the House of Representatives, she interacted with constituents and community leaders from across the 15th Congressional District, which included Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Lebanon, and Dauphin counties. Ortega joined the PBS39 family in May 2018, shortly after Congressman Dent announced his retirement. Ortega is excited to continue pursuing her passion for community outreach, especially as it pertains to the Hispanic community.