His early (1940s–1960s) works, alongside those of peer, Hernando Ocampo are described as depictions of anguish and dehumanization of beggars and laborers in the city.

Primarily because of this early period, critics have further cited Legaspi's having "reconstituted" in his paintings "cubism's unfeeling, geometric ordering of figures into a social expressionism rendered by interacting forms filled with rhythmic movement".

While this led to an active phase with his major pieces, he also worked as a magazine illustrator and artistic director at an advertising agency.

Legaspi's major works include: He was married to Betty/Vitaliana who kept them afloat with 5 children as he was still beginning to establish his art practice.

Their children, in chronological order were Dennis, Rebecca, Maricelle/Celeste, Alicia, and Diana, the latter practiced as a lighting designer before migrating to the US.