Is the best thing to do in the Philippines to apply for a passport and leave?

In my opinion, yes.

Leaving is the best way to remove the negative exceptionalism present in your mind, reducing the perpetually-insular outlook when it comes to PH. "Only in the Philippines!" yeah, try living overseas for some time before you believe that.

It works both ways. You want to experience the better things the world has to offer na wala sa Pilipinas? Enjoy it to your heart's content. Or are you there to learn about the good and bad lessons learned by the foreign country and later return to contribute something constructive? Good for you and keep the growth mindset and heart of curiosity.