Eventually, as Manila became crowded, noisy, and polluted, new developments in the nearby San Juan became popular among middle-class families for a much more quiet and peaceful place to live.

[10][11]: 49  As a result, Hemady became the first real estate developer in the Philippines and the first to establish a gated community outside of Manila.

[6] In 1937, the New Manila area gained recognition as the "Hollywood of the Philippines", being home to Sampaguita Pictures (along Granada Street, now located in Barangay Valencia), as well as its rival, LVN Pictures,[10] just along Benitez Street, being one of the first companies that produced original Filipino films.

[6] This has led to increased development throughout the 1950s and 1960s around the area, as schools, churches, hospitals, and other institutions were set up in New Manila.

It was inaugurated on July 16, 1964, on the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and was declared a parish in 1975.

[17]: 51–52  As a result, throughout the 1980s, many of the original, large suburban houses were replaced by higher density developments such as townhouses, condominiums, and mixed-use complexes.

[20] Mariana and Damayang Lagi are among 19 barangays in Quezon City that are considered to be prone to liquefaction.

[17]: 8 Both Mariana and Damayang Lagi are classified to be at medium-low risk in the event of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake due to its proximity to the Marikina Valley Fault System.

[17]: 21 The political borders of Mariana are defined on land by the España Boulevard Extension (now E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue), Ilang-ilang Street, Rosario Drive, Victoria Avenue, and Aurora Boulevard, while its water boundaries are defined by the Salapan Creek (also known as the Ermitaño Creek).

Bus Route 3 (Antipolo - Quiapo via Aurora Boulevard) serves the southern perimeter of the barangay along Aurora Boulevard, with stops at Betty Go-Belmonte Street, Robinsons Magnolia, Gilmore Avenue, and Madison Street.

Jeepneys run along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue with routes going to and from Manila, Araneta City, and the Project 2 & 3 area.